Robert James Rothwell III

Rothwell

Robert James Rothwell III, (Bob), age 79, of Cutler, Ohio, died of cancer related to contaminated water exposure during his service at Camp Lejeune on May 25, 2025. He was born in Syracuse, New York on November 19, 1945, to LaVerne and Robert Rothwell Jr.

He began his life as he ended it, in love with the outdoors and engaging with nature. He grew up hunting and fishing and roaming the woods.

He was drafted into the United States Navy during the Vietnam war and served as a navy corpsman until he was honorably discharged in 1969.

He returned to college on the GI bill with a new sense of purpose, and graduated with a BS in Biology while supporting a young wife and child. He earned his MS in Environmental Science and spent the rest of his career focusing on conservation, reclamation, and protection in various leadership capacities for the state of Ohio before moving to private industry to reduce the need for enforcement in the first place.

Bob was a faithful and devoted member of the Chesterfield Friends Meeting (Quakers) in Chesterhill, Ohio where he served as an elder and as a clerk. His beautiful baritone enhanced the after-worship hymn singing. Members enjoyed his fresh baked bread and soup made with his home-grown vegetables at Sunday lunches. He was an example of Christian service to others, volunteering his time to the Cutler Food Pantry and the Washington County Juvenile Center.

He was an avid motorcyclist for over 40 years and gleefully bragged about living just off the Triple Nickel.

Bob was a lifelong lover of music (blues, bluegrass and folk music) and enjoyed playing his guitars and singing at local gigs.

He liked working with his hands and after his retirement delved into cedar strip canoe building which combined nicely with his deep enthusiasm for fly fishing and wood carving (birds and fish).

But nothing made Bob happier than working in a garden, giving away food, and teaching others to grow their own food. After retirement Bob became a certified Master Gardener and wrote gardening articles for The Marietta Times. But his favorite Master Gardener activity was working with his fellow Master Gardeners to teach gardening skills, life lessons, and environmental science to boys at the Juvenile Teaching Garden in Marietta, which they later named after him.

After spending several of his final months receiving treatment and apart from his cherished 59 acres, he returned to his home to start one last garden, participate in one last teaching garden planning meeting, work on his ultimate canoe paddle, and spend time with his wife and best friend, Kathleen. A little fly fishing might have been nice.

Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Kathleen Rothwell, son Rob (Mary Lightner), and siblings Martha, Madeline, Thomas, John, Gregory, Daniel, and David. He was predeceased by his father, mother, and siblings Barbara, Steven, Paul, and Teresa.

A viewing followed by a small service will be held on Friday May 30, 2025 from 4 to 6 pm at the Stone-Matheney Funeral Home, 7465 Marion Street, Chesterhill, OH 43728.