Robert George Rothfuss

Robert George (Bob aka Papa) Rothfuss, 101, of Bellevue, KY, passed away on Sunday,
December 7, 2025. Bob was born July 12, 1924, in Dayton, KY, to Frederick Rothfuss and
Catherine (nee: Gast) Rothfuss. He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Betsy
West, his brother, Richard F. Rothfuss, and his sister, Eleanor Rolfes.
Bob was a loving and loyal family man. Following graduation from Bellevue High School, Bob
helped support his parents by playing trumpet professionally and selling his custom carpentry
work. A year later he enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in Guam (as a replacement
to Iwo Jima ) during World War II. Upon his return, he met Rosalie Perin, at his brothers high
school senior night. Within 2 years they married and remained life partners for 77 years. His love
and devotion to her and his family are an example to all.
A few years after he married, thanks to the GI Bill, he attended the University of Cincinnati,
earning a degree in Electrical Engineering. He then worked for several notable engineering and
architectural firms in Cincinnati, serving clients such as Miami University and Western Southern.
Bob transitioned his career to Senco Inc., taking on the role of head of R&D. There, he
spearheaded the development of a groundbreaking stapling device for surgical use. His work
continued after the business was acquired by the Ethicon division of Johnson & Johnson. Upon
his retirement, Bob held 34 patents. He is an honored member of the Ethicon Inventors Wall of
Fame. Since he began this pioneering work in the 1970s, medical device development has grown
to be a multi-billion-dollar business in the Cincinnati region.
Bob was a dedicated and active member of the Bellevue community. His leadership roles
included serving on the Bellevue School Board for many years, teaching Sunday School and
singing in the choir at the Bellevue Baptist Church and serving on the Bellevue Historical
Society. Besides serving his community he had many interests and hobbies. He was an avid
archer who placed in the national junior archery tournament, competing with a bow and arrows
that he made in his shop. He especially enjoyed playing tennis, a hobby he continued well into
his nineties. Other interests were golf, fishing, hunting, fine woodworking, yard work and
gardening.
Bob was, above all, a man of remarkable character, living a life to be proud of. He was kind,
honest, and hardworking, always ready to sacrifice for his family and friends. He had such a
thirst for knowledge and an abundance of curiosity being always eager to learn new things with
an open mind. He enjoyed engaging in deep philosophical conversations with people of all ages
and walks of life.
Bob is survived by his wife, Rosalie Perin Rothfuss, sons, Robert K. (Lynn) Rothfuss, Richard
M. (Catherine J.) Rothfuss, daughter, Amy K. (Steve) Cauthen, as well as 10 grandchildren and
13 great-grandchildren who will continue to love and value family Bob's way. Memorial
Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025, beginning at 1:00 at Dobbling, Muehlenkamp & Erschell Funeral Home,
241 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, KY. The Memorial Service will follow at 3:00.
Memorials are suggested to the Bellevue Education Foundation, 219 Center Street, Bellevue, KY
41073 or a charity of choice.
Online condolences can be given at www.dmefuneral.com.