Daniel George Rotter, 72, passed away at his home in Rochester, Washington, on Sept. 14, 2023.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Karen Marie (Padden) Rotter; his daughter, Amy (Kyle) Hussey; his grandchildren, Lauren and Carson Rotter, and their mother Jill Rotter; grandchildren, Sophia and Griffin Hussey; his two loving sisters, Connie (Harry) Birkenfeld and Carol (Desmond) Hartnell; many nieces, nephews and close friends; and his beloved dog, Maggie.
He was preceded in death by his only son, Justin Daniel Rotter, and his great nephew, Tyler Austin Stiles.
Dan was born Dec. 7, 1950, in Bremerton, Washington, to the late Richard James Rotter and Helen Marcia (Denniston) Rotter. He was raised in Bremerton and attended Olympic College and then the University of Washington. Dan and Karen married in Bremerton on Feb. 13, 1971. The young couple had their son, Justin Daniel, in July 1976, and their daughter, Amy Lee, in February 1979. They moved to Rochester in 1978 where Dan managed a new fish farm site. The Rotter family was very involved in the Rochester community for years to come.
Dan was an avid hunter his whole life and loved the outdoors. In the 1990s, Dan and Karen built their final home on the edge of the Black River where Dan enjoyed nature, bird watching and cooking over the campfire. Friends and family often stopped by for a good visit by the fire, a canoe ride, target practice or to grill oysters. Dan also enjoyed playing the bass guitar with other local musicians at community events. The friends in his life became like family. Dan retired from the fish farm around 2011 and spent most of his free time visiting his children and grandchildren. He attended all of their sporting events, concerts and performances and was a very proud Papa. He was also very close with his many nieces and nephews up in the Bremerton area, who all loved their Uncle Dan.
A funeral service will be held Oct. 14, 2023, at the St. Francis Xavier Mission in Toledo, Washington (139 Spencer Road, Toledo 98591). The church services will begin with a 10:30 a.m. viewing followed by an 11 a.m. Divine Liturgy. Afterwards, the family will host a potluck reception and celebration of Dan’s life from 2 p.m. until later in the evening at the Historic Gate City Schoolhouse located at 16925 Moon Road, Rochester, 98579. Graveside and burial services will be held Nov. 4, 2023, at 11 a.m. in the cemetery of the St. Francis Xavier Mission in Toledo. There will be a potluck reception following at the Rotter home on the Black River.
