PLYMOUTH – Robert F. Rothwell, 70, a long-time resident of Plymouth, passed away Thursday evening, July 22, 2010, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Born in Peekskill in October of 1939, Bob was the son of Ernest and Myrtle Chambers Rothwell. At an early age, he moved with his family to Plymouth, where he lived on the family farm. Bob attended school in Plymouth and in Norwich, but left early to join the military. Following his service to his country in the U.S. Air Force, he received his honorable discharge in June of 1965 and returned to the Plymouth area. For a time, Bob worked for Al Wehrli and also did milk hauling, but he will best be remembered as a well-respected mechanic who worked for his brother, Dick Rothwell, and, for the past 10-12 years, for Sonny Golden at Golden’s Body Shop. Bob was an honorary member of the Plymouth Fire Department, where he was also a past Fire Chief. He was extremely family-oriented, and would do anything to help his family and his friends. He enjoyed both hunting and fishing, and especially being with his “best buddy,” Lance.
On July 1, 1978 in Sherburne, Bob married Sally Johnson. He is survived by his wife, Sally Rothwell of Plymouth; his children and their spouses: David Rothwell of South Otselic, Candy and John Adamow of Arizona, Robert and Pamela Rothwell of Norwich, Stephan “Scott” Rothwell of Locke, and Stephanie and Travis Ashcraft of South Plymouth; and by his step-children: Tina Perron and husband Richard of Spencer, Mass., and William Golden and wife Dawn of Oxford. He is also survived by his sisters: Norma Onyon and companion Ed Smith of Cooperstown, Geraldine Irwin and husband Charles of Daytona Beach, and Carolyn Miles of Sherburne; by his brothers and their spouses: Richard and Patricia Rothwell of Plymouth, Edward and Frances Rothwell of South Plymouth, Roy and Sandy Rothwell of Plymouth, and Loren Rothwell of Utica; 18 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Bob will be held at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home at noon on Tuesday. The Rev. Stephen Reese, pastor of the Columbus Community Church, will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in the South Side Cemetery of Plymouth.
Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the service at noon.
Please consider memorial contributions to either Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, NY 13815; or to the Plymouth Fire Dept., Plymouth, NY 13832.