1940
CDR
2015
CDR Frederic Rotzler, US Navy (RET.)
October 1, 1940 — February 1, 2015
CDR Frederic Rotzler, US Navy, (RET), 74, of Urbana, Maryland, passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2015, at his home.
Born on October 1, 1940, in Manhattan, New York, he was the son of the late Frederic and Loretta (Kidd) Rotzler.
He attended Brentwood High School, Brentwood, NY in 1958. In 1959, Fred enlisted in the Navy ultimately becoming an EOD diver. After serving 6 years active duty, he joined the US Navy Reserves, while he attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a B.S. of Zoology in 1968. In 1969 he was commissioned as an Officer from AOCS NAS Pensacola, FL. He was proud to be an American and served his country in the Vietnam War and continued his naval career in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), where he would serve several tours of duty in Hawaii, California, and Virginia. His decorations include many medals and ribbons including The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Fred was also Master EOD Technician and qualified naval parachutist. He ultimately retired after 32 years of dedicated service from the U.S. Navy in 1991 as a Navy Commander. After his retirement, he entered the Troops to Teachers Program, earning an M.A. in Education from Marymount University in 1996, enabling him to work with children with special needs for the next 10 years.
Fred was involved in many organizations throughout his life, such as the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association, the Elks Lodge #758 in Alexandria, VA, and #684 in Frederick, MD, the American Legion, and the VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Evalyn (Hobbs) Rotzler, whom he married on January 5, 1963; he was a loving father to his daughter, Robin Wolz and husband, Bill, of Urbana, MD; and his two sons, Rick Rotzler and wife, Jeannine, of Ashburn, VA, and Craig Rotzler and wife, Laura, of Falls Church, VA. He has several loving grandchildren, Colin and Megan Rotzler; and Ryan, Rylie, Mike, Bob, and Lora Wolz. He was also the cherished brother of Marylyn Dunn and husband, John, of Huntington, NY, and uncle to their sons, John and Robert Dunn of New York, NY. He will also be missed by his special family, Anne (Alderman) Stokes and husband, Chuck, of Urbana, MD, and their daughters, Johanna and Miranda Stokes.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21702. Final resting-place ceremonies will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his favorite charity, the EOD Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 309, Bluemont, VA 20135 or online at www.eodwarriorfoundation.org
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Born on October 1, 1940, in Manhattan, New York, he was the son of the late Frederic and Loretta (Kidd) Rotzler.
He attended Brentwood High School, Brentwood, NY in 1958. In 1959, Fred enlisted in the Navy ultimately becoming an EOD diver. After serving 6 years active duty, he joined the US Navy Reserves, while he attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating with a B.S. of Zoology in 1968. In 1969 he was commissioned as an Officer from AOCS NAS Pensacola, FL. He was proud to be an American and served his country in the Vietnam War and continued his naval career in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), where he would serve several tours of duty in Hawaii, California, and Virginia. His decorations include many medals and ribbons including The Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Fred was also Master EOD Technician and qualified naval parachutist. He ultimately retired after 32 years of dedicated service from the U.S. Navy in 1991 as a Navy Commander. After his retirement, he entered the Troops to Teachers Program, earning an M.A. in Education from Marymount University in 1996, enabling him to work with children with special needs for the next 10 years.
Fred was involved in many organizations throughout his life, such as the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Association, the Elks Lodge #758 in Alexandria, VA, and #684 in Frederick, MD, the American Legion, and the VFW.
He is survived by his wife, Evalyn (Hobbs) Rotzler, whom he married on January 5, 1963; he was a loving father to his daughter, Robin Wolz and husband, Bill, of Urbana, MD; and his two sons, Rick Rotzler and wife, Jeannine, of Ashburn, VA, and Craig Rotzler and wife, Laura, of Falls Church, VA. He has several loving grandchildren, Colin and Megan Rotzler; and Ryan, Rylie, Mike, Bob, and Lora Wolz. He was also the cherished brother of Marylyn Dunn and husband, John, of Huntington, NY, and uncle to their sons, John and Robert Dunn of New York, NY. He will also be missed by his special family, Anne (Alderman) Stokes and husband, Chuck, of Urbana, MD, and their daughters, Johanna and Miranda Stokes.
A funeral ceremony will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at the Stauffer Funeral Homes, P.A., 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick, Maryland 21702. Final resting-place ceremonies will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his favorite charity, the EOD Warrior Foundation, P.O. Box 309, Bluemont, VA 20135 or online at www.eodwarriorfoundation.org
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