James Rothgeb, age 70, of Uncasville Connecticut died at home on Thursday September 7th, 2023, after a short battle with brain cancer. James, known by most as Jim, was born on September 22, 1952, in Santa Monica California to Earl Rothgeb and Marion Thompson Rothgeb.
Due to his father’s occupation, Jim lived in several places but the one that left the biggest imprint on him was Rome Italy, where he spent a great portion of his childhood. Jim later moved to the United States where he graduated from Oyster Bay High School on Long Island, NY in 1970, and later received his associate degree in electrical engineering at New Haven College. He became an electronics technician specialist, working at several companies in Connecticut. Most recently, he worked at Millstone Nuclear Power Plant and Naes Corporation formerly Metropolitan District Commission of Connecticut.
Jim married his soulmate Stephanie Ann Preiss on November 19, 1972, in Meriden, CT. She survives him along with their two daughters Erin Rothgeb (husband Michael Lucas) and Kirsten Rothgeb (partner Brian Ducharme) as well as his brother Eric Rothgeb, and sister Carol McVey. Jim is also survived by four grandchildren: Colin Rothgeb, Maya Waldron, Kaelin Waldron, and Grace Lydick. He is predeceased by his parents.
Jim enjoyed genealogy research which led him to join the Sons of the American Revolution where he was a member of the Nathan Hale chapter. Jim’s enjoyment with genealogy led him to become an active contributor to Find a Grave. Additionally, Jim enjoyed traveling, maintaining his ability to speak Italian, and remaining in contact with his childhood friends from the American Oversees School in Rome.
A celebration of life memorial gathering is scheduled for September 23, 2023, from 1-4, at the Hillcrest Community Center located at 15 Heather Brook Rd in Uncasville.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests those who desire to remember Jim to please make a contribution in his memory to the American Brain Tumor Association online at bit.ly/DonateABTA or via mail at:
The American Brain Tumor Association
8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. #550
Chicago, IL 60631