Alexander Rothe

Alexander Rothe passed away on November 15, 2016. He was born on June 10, 1923 in Frankfurt on the Oder River, Germany. His parents Conrad and Mary Rothe were migrating from the Volga region of Russia to the United States, specifically, Loveland, Colorado. During his childhood years, he worked with his parents as farm laborers. He attended Loveland High School and eventually volunteered for the US Navy in January, 1941. After boot camp, he was assigned to the destroyer USS Ralph Talbot at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Just prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he was temporarily assigned to attend Fire Control school in San Diego and as a result missed the bombing. His ship, the Ralph Talbot, made it out of Pearl Harbor during the bombing and he returned to it. This ship and his next ship, the USS Hancock, fought the Japanese throughout the South Pacific. While aboard ship, he was notified by the ship's captain and the Red Cross that his father, Conrad. had passed away on April 4, 1942. Due to wartime conditions, he was not permitted to return for the funeral. He served his country bravely, courageously and proudly. He was and will always remain a sailor and Navy man.

After the war, he returned to Colorado and enrolled in barber school in Denver, CO. Finishing school, he worked at a barber shop in Aurora, CO. The more he worked at that profession, the more he disliked it. He subsequently went to work for the City and County of Denver, working in the Clerk's office until his retirement.
He lived in a boarding house in Denver, where he met Lorraine Calder. She also was a WWII veteran serving in the US Marine Corps. They were married September 19, 1948 at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Loveland, Colo. During 57 yearsof marriage, they lived in Aurora, Denver and Golden, CO. Their homes and yards were always perfectly groomed. He and Lorraine went on numerous trips throughout the world. He loved cruises and the food. Although they had no children, they both embraced all children with love and kindness. Lorraine passed away in 2006 and after an around-the-world cruise, he decided to sell the 'yellow' house in Golden, CO. In 2008, Alex moved to the Good Samaritan, an independent living facility in Windsor, CO. where he lived until April 2015. Due to failing health, he moved to Columbine Commons Health and Rehab facility in Windsor where he resided until his death.

Alex is survived by sister Marie Bergendahl of Lake Park, IA., brothers Adolph Rothe (wife Margaret) of Menomonee Falls, WI., LeRoy Rothe (wife Lois) of Coupeville, WA., numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife Lorraine, parents Conrad and Mary B. Rothe, brothers George R. Klein (wife Mollie), Leonard Lee Rothe (wife Mary) , Ernest Conrad Rothe (wife Delores) and sister Eleanor Vale (husband Frank).

The family extends our deepest appreciation to the staff of Columbine Commons, Pathways Hospice and Dr. Ian Brickl for the care they gave Alex during these last months.

A memorial gathering will be held to celebrate Alex's life at the Good Samaritan Community, Water Valley in Windsor, CO. on November 25, 2016, time will be announced.

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