Joerg Ernst Eduard Rothfelder passed away peacefully on November 15, 2023, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 78. His 15-year battle against cancer came to a quick and sudden end, freeing him from the body that could no longer serve the vital, vibrant, and active man he was his entire life.
He was born on May 23, 1945, in Koldenbuettel, Germany to his proud parents, the late Guenther and late Marga (Koenn)Rothfelder.
Joerg grew up in West Germany and while serving in the German Air Force met his wife Theresa Spano during an unexpected stopover in Washington, D.C. They married two years later in Syracuse, NY in 1970 and moved back to Germany where Joerg started his 40- year career at NCR beginning as a salesman and ending as Director of Marketing at NCR/Teradata. They began their adventures of life in Munich and Augsburg, Germany before moving to the US in 1987 with stops in Dayton, OH, Columbia, SC and finally Milford, MI making life-long friends in each new hometown.
Joerg cherished most gathering with his family and friends, hearing their news and learning about their lives.
While he always had his feet firmly on the ground, he enjoyed his occasional adventures in skydiving, flying a small plane, racing a NASCAR, and hang gliding. He loved the outdoors, sailing, hiking, gardening, swimming, and especially playing golf.
He was the beloved husband to Theresa (Spano) Rothfelder, loving father to Andrea (Rothfelder) Finnerty and proud father-in-law to Joseph Finnerty. He is also survived by his beloved brother Dr. Ulrich Rothfelder and wife Christine Niedermeier, and cherished sister Gabi Burgel-Goodwin. He was a loving son-in- law to Marie Spano and the late Michael J. Spano, and loving brother-in- law to Joanne & Jeff Salisbury, Joe & Sue Spano, and Michelle & Patrick Kendrick. He loved being uncle to all his nieces and nephews and their families in both Germany and America. They especially remember their uncle as a man who loved, was always ready to play (occasionally causing some good trouble), and was there in full for each and every one of them.
He will forever be remembered by his family and friends as a true gentleman with a huge smile and welcoming hello. Joerg was the embodiment of a kind, caring, generous man and he will be missed dearly by all who knew him.
Memorial contributions may be given in Joerg’s name to a charity of your choice or one of the charities especially meaningful to him: St. Jude’s Hospital, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, or the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
Announcements for his celebration of life will be shared once finalized.