RICHARD IVER ROTENBERGER, 75 of Seminole, FL was born on Thursday, 27 January 1938 in Pennsburg, Pennsylvania, the son of IRWIN OSCAR ROTENBERGER and EMMA SUSAN ROTENBERGER (NEE OSTER). He was born on Main Street, the last house on the right hand side just before you cross the railroad bridge into Red Hill. From age 3 to age 12 he lived in Palm Hill in a house built by his father about half a mile from the house built by his grandfather. From age 12 to his joining the United States Marine Corps in 1955, he lived with his parents at 420 Seminary Street in Pennsburg.
He served in the United States military for 20 years, retiring on the 1st of December, 1975. He served 9 years in the United States Marine Corps (SERIAL NUMBER 1538708), and 11 years in the United States Air Force (SERIAL NUMBER 1488460, which later changed again when Military serial numbers were changed to Social Security numbers). During his tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps, he served overseas in Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Vietnam (as a military adviser), and the Philippines. He also had 2 training tours in Veagas, Puerto Rico for three months per tour. He also spent one year at the Marine Detachment in Key West, Florida. While in the United States Air Force, he served at Cape Kennedy and a tour in Vietnam (He would never talk about his combat service). Sites for the communications systems not only included several locations on the Cape, but also systems in Antigua, Trinidad, Grand Bahamas, and Ascension Island.
During his tour at Ellsworth Air Force Base, he worked on the Communication systems of the ICBM sites. He maintained the hardened missile cable systems for the first 2 years of his tour, and during the last 6 years of his military service, he was the Chief of Cable Affairs and Missile Cable Quality Control evaluator/ inspector. Also, when the 1st Sgt. retired, he was made Acting 1st Sgt. of the unit for about 6 months, until the new 1st Sgt. reported for duty.
After military retirement, he attended Black Hills State College, graduating CUM LAUDE with a BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION. Areas of study included one minor in Education and a double major; one in Political Science and one in History. He then began his second career in teaching, the first 2 years (1979-1981) at Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School which was located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. During the time he lived in South Dakota, he operated a small ranch and served on the Butte County Fair Board. He was also Past President of the Black Hills Foster Parent Association, having helped to form the organization as well as writing its CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason and PAST MEMBER OF THE CEDAR LODGE #124, Belle Fourche, South Dakota. In addition he was also a member of the Black Hills Scottish Rite Bodies, the Naja Temple of Deadwood, South Dakota, and the Naja Cowboys. He was also a KAPPA DELTA PI member. He also served as the Boy Scout Master of the Nisland Boy Scout Troop. Last but not least, he served as the Trustee of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Whitewood, South Dakota for 2 years.
Based on his military service, he was also a life member of both the American Legion (Post 0252), and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 14000). In addition, he was a life member of the North American Hunting Club.
Hobbies include Genealogical Research, hunting and collecting guns.
Upon the death of his father in 1981, he returned to Florida. From 1981 to 1986, he worked for the Kane Security Company as Chief Operations Officer, until he was able to renew his teaching career at Dunedin High School, Dunedin, Florida in January 1986. He retired from teaching at Dunedin in January 2000. During his teaching career he taught American Government, Sioux Tribal Government, Constitutional Law, American History, European History, World History, World Geography, and Economics.
Richard is survived by a daughter Adelen Rotenberger of Seminole, FL along with three sons Francis of Seminole, FL, David and Douglas both of St. Petersburg, FL and two grandchildren Christopher and Mia.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Janice Rotenberger on December 8, 2011.
Richard will always be remembered and never forgotten by his loving family.
Memorial Services will be at a later date. Condolences may be offered at www.mossfeasterlargo.com.
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