Donald J Rothenberger

Donald J Rothenberger, 92, was taken to the Lord's house on January 12, 2018. He was born on May 26, 1925 in Bloomington, Indiana to the late Leora and Dora Rothenberger. He graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and attended Purdue University. He proudly served in the U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, during World War II, first as a photographer on General Eisenhower's staff and then covering the war crimes trial in Nuremburg, Germany. He spent most of his career as a specification writer and providing construction administration for two Indianapolis architectural firms. He was passionate about his church and the Boy Scouts of America, and loved fishing, genealogy, photography, and collecting paperweights. His search for adventure and family history led him to visit over ninety countries. Don was a member of First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church and was an ordained elder. He served on the Presbyterian Session for twenty-four years, served on the Presbyterian Synod for six years and was elected to the Presbyterian General Assembly. His career in Scouting spanned over eight decades including sixty years as an adult Scouter. And even though a disability prev...[more]

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ed him from becoming an Eagle Scout, he attained the rank of Life Scout and was a Firecrafter Minisino and Order of the Arrow. He was honored to receive every major award given by the Northeast District and Central Indiana Council. This included the Scouter's Training and Key Awards, District Award of Merit, Silver Beaver, Woodbadge and Woodbadge Staff, Commissioner Service and Arrowhead Awards, Distinguished Commissioner Award, Master Scouter Award and Doctorate of Commissioner Science. Don was also a member of North Park Lodge No. 646 F & AM, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Society of Indiana Pioneers, and Sons of the American Revolution. Survivors include sons, Donald Kim (Beverly) and Chris Lee (Sharon) Rothenberger; grandchildren Ryan (Julie) and Joe (Mindy) Rothenberger, Rachel (Jon) Phillips and Michelle (Chris) Voivodas; step-grandchildren Joe and Amy Murray; and ten great-grandchildren. Don was predeceased by his wife, Mary Joan (Koss) Rothenberger. In celebration of his life, visitation will be on Friday, January 19 between 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. at Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel, 740 East 86th Street, Indianapolis. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 20 at 10 a.m. at the mortuary with entombment following at Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scout Troop 133, c/o Scoutmaster Blaine Paul, 7239 N. Butler Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46250 or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.