Frederick Rottet

RANTOUL - Frederick N. Rottet, 84, of Rantoul went to be with the Lord on Saturday evening (June 8, 2024) at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton on Pells, Paxton.

He was born in Coronado, Calif., on Oct. 19, 1940, to General Ralph K. Rottet and Adele L. (Sparhawk) Rottet. He was married April 13, 1963, to Jeanette A. (Cariota) Rottet at the Chanute Air Force Base Chapel, and she survives him today.

The Lord blessed them with three children, Frederick "Rick" A. Rottet, Robert J. Rottet (deceased) and Leanne R. (Scott A.) Glick; and two grandchildren, Brittin Rottet and Sabrina (Connor Caple) Rottet.

He is survived by four siblings, Ralph S. (Barbara) Rottet of New Hampshire, Charlene Moore of Arizona, Sherry (Daniel) Wynn of Georgia and John (Beth Livingston) Rottet of North Carolina; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He served his country for 29 years in the Air Force before retiring as a senior master sergeant. He was a Vietnam veteran who worked with and taught weather equipment and radar maintenance, as well as managing his department at Chanute Air Force Base. He attended the University of New Hampshire and Parkland College before graduating with his bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a research engineer at the University of Illinois in Talbot Lab.

He always had a passion for engineering that lasted throughout his lifetime, whether building his own telescope at the age of 12, where he became convinced there had to be a creator; or sailing the sailboat he built himself on Pine River Pond, N.H., where he spent summers as a child. He could often be found building his own computer or fixing items around the house.

He was a past member of civil defense, the Champaign Urbana Astronomical Society, volunteered for the Champaign County Forest Preserve District, but most of all, First Baptist Church in Rantoul, where he taught everyone from 3 to 93 year olds and served on many boards and committees.

He enjoyed encouraging and supporting his children to follow their interest. Swimming, bowling, sports, model airplane making/flying, music, fishing and horseback riding filled their childhoods. Later, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren exploring the many museums, playgrounds and local attractions.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to First Baptist Church in Rantoul or the Food Bank at the Community Center on Wabash Avenue in Rantoul.

We would like to give a special thank you to the staff on the sixth floor of Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana for their constant care. We would like to also thank Accolade Healthcare of Paxton on Pells in Paxton for their care and attention.

Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Maplewood Cemetery, U.S. 45, north of Rantoul. Lux Memorial Chapel is handling the arrangements.