Robert H. Rothrock III

1950 - 2021

Robert Haines Rothrock III, 71, Marthasville, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021.

Bob, son of the late Robert Haines Rothrock II and wife Helen, nee Howard, was born March 7, 1950, in Joplin. Bob received his education in Washington, where his father was manager of the Calvin Theatre and his mother taught at Washington High School. He graduated from Washington High School in 1968.

He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1970 to 1972, including duty in Vietnam during the war. Bob was united in marriage to Carlene Feldmann March 22, 1975, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Dutzow. At that time, the couple made their home in Washington.

Bob became a trooper in the Missouri State Highway Patrol, serving with Troop C in the Kirkwood District from 1975 to 1998 and with Troop D, headquartered in Springfield, from 1998 until his retirement in 2007. He rose through the ranks to the rank of lieutenant. While in the patrol, he served as a SWAT commander and attended the FBI National Academy in 1997. He earned his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri at St. Louis in 1980 while a trooper.

After retiring from the patrol, he worked as an instructor for Mo-Tac and worked security for Concordance Academy. He also was a substitute teacher for students in special service in the Washington School District. He volunteered as a PE teacher at the St. Vincent parish school.

Bob was known as a dedicated and proud highway patrolman, but he would say his biggest accomplishment was being a loving and dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Bob and his wife also served as foster parents for Catholic Services for four years.

Bob is survived by his wife, Carlene, Dutzow; three children, Joe Rothrock and wife Elizabeth, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Jessica Woolbright and husband Brian, St. Louis, and Krista Muzzey and husband Matt, Columbia; six grandchildren, Luc Woolbright, Flora Woolbright, Tate Muzzey, Ren Muzzey, Ava Rothrock and Violet Rothrock; one sister, May Helen Reinarman and husband Paul, Washington; two brothers, Pete Rothrock and wife Debbie, Nixa, and Mike Rothrock, Crocker; two brothers-in-law, Ken Feldmann and wife Chris, Krakow, and Kevin Feldmann and wife Janice, Washington; and two sisters-in-law, Connie Struckhoff and husband Bob, Augusta, and Kathy Marquart and husband Rick, Femme Osage.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one niece, Emily Rose Marquart; and one nephew, Scott Rothrock.

A funeral Mass was held Tuesday, Jan. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church, with the Rev. Leo Spezia and the Rev. Dennis Doyle officiating.

Burial, with full military honors, was in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Masters or St. Martha's Hall.

Participating in burial ceremonies were members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, members of the The Greater St. Louis Area Firefighter Highland Guard, UPMC Mercy and the Honor Guard of the Marthasville American Legion.

The Rothrock family was served by Oltmann Funeral Home, Washington.