Dr. Eric J Rothgeb

Whether it was skiing down a mountainside, exploring the depths of the oceans, or heading down a highway on his Harley, Dr. Eric Rothgeb always approached life with an adventurous spirit. His last exploit took him to the glaciers of Alaska, just three months before he died on Oct. 7, 2023, at his home in Parker, Colorado. He was 81.

Eric was born March 3, 1942, in Concordia, Kansas, the son of Harold and Buelah (Drummond) Rothgeb. His mother died just a few days after his birth, leaving his father to raise him for the next three years. Harold then married Carmen (Heimiller) Rothgeb and the three of them moved to Hays, Kansas, where Eric was raised until adulthood.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in science from Kansas University and a medical degree from the KU School of Medicine. He put that education to use in the Army, where he served in a field hospital, tending to soldiers and civilians wounded on the battlefields of Vietnam.

Helping people in distress was Eric’s calling. He later was an emergency room doctor at the Medical Center of Aurora, Colorado, where every day was a different challenge.

Eric moved to Denver in the 1970’s where he eventually met and married the love of his life, Judi (Strand) Rothgeb. Together they traveled the world, sharing adventures. And from their hilltop home in Parker they enjoyed a magnificent view of Pike’s Peak while admiring wildlife and raising their beloved dogs and cats – Riley, Chloe, Bella, Mad Max, Charley, Jaxson, Lil Rita, Boomer, Kismet, and Sophie.

Eric and Judi celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary just two months before his death.

A favorite hobby for Eric was woodworking. In his workshop he created beautiful furniture for friends, family, and for their own home. He loved taking on new projects and testing new skills.

Eric is survived by his wife, Judi, and brother, Jim Rothgeb and his wife, Harriet Wright, of Aurora. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepfather, Walter Keating.

A celebration of life is planned for next spring. Donations in Eric’s memory may be made to Best Friends Animal Society, http://bestfriends.org/donate.

One of Eric’s fondest memories was coming eye-to-eye with a humpback whale and her calf while diving in the waters off the Grand Turk and Caicos Islands. Together they shared the Atlantic Ocean for about an hour. It is just one of many images for which he would want to be remembered.

Because that was Eric – beloved husband, devoted doctor, and skilled craftsman. A man whose life was a grand adventure.

A celebration of life for Eric will be held Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Parker Arts, Culture & Events Center, 20000 Pikes Peak Avenue, Parker, Colorado 80138.