Robert Lee Rothschadl was born to Joseph and Lillian (Cihak) Rothschadl in Scotland, South Dakota. Following his graduation from Tyndall High School, he helped on the family farm 4 miles northeast of Tyndall. On May 13, 1968, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served as an armored personal carrier driver in Vietnam. On September 24, 1968, he was united in marriage to Nancy Broz at St. Leo Catholic Church in Tyndall. For a time, they made their home in Tyndall until they moved to Ft. Hood, Texas for 10 months during Bob’s service. On May 12, 1970, he was honorably discharged having earned the rank of E5. They returned home where they lived on a farm 8.5 miles north of Tyndall.
At heart, Bob was always a farmer and never desired a different walk in life. He planted and harvested various crops through the years, such as corn, oats, wheat, alfalfa, barley, etc. He also raised livestock, such as cattle and pigs. Bob’s greatest joy while farming was seeing his hard work pay off in the sprouting and growing of his fields. He would frequently leisurely drive the countryside, checking on his and his neighbors’ crops. For about 8 years, Bob also worked for the City of Tyndall. Following Bob’s ankle surgery in 2014, he was concerned for his wife’s well-being due to the responsibilities of the farm and decided to move into Tyndall.
Bob had a deep passion for sports. In 1970, he uncovered a love and talent for bowling that continued for the next 50 years. From 1971 to 1972, he played amateur baseball for Lesterville. Bob was an integral part of the Roy’s Bar softball team from 1973 until 1992. For a short time, he also played slow pitch softball. His joy of softball and baseball continued into his work as an umpire. He served as an umpire for the local boys baseball games. He was also an USA-certified umpire that helped at various softball games across the state for over 14 years.
Bob was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who rarely missed an opportunity to tease his beloved grandchildren.
Bob unexpectedly passed away from an aggressive illness on Sunday, June 30, 2019 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota having attained the age of 71 years, 7 months, and 23 days.
He is survived and remembered by his wife of over 50 years, Nancy Rothschadl of Tyndall, SD; children: Scott Rothschadl (girlfriend Kelly Beaumier) of Scotland, SD, Kim (Mark) Brown of Elgin, OK, and Stacie (Rick) Wagner of Mitchell, SD; 7 grandchildren; sister Rose Marie Gebhart of Marshall, MN; father-in-law George Broz of Tyndall, SD; sisters-in-law: Sue Rothschadl of Tyndall, SD, Kathy (Howard) Hight of Mitchell, SD, Judy (Dan) Fleming of Elk Point, SD, and Diane Broz of Prescott Valley, AZ; brothers-in-law Kevin (Alvina) Broz of Willard, MO and Ron (Sharon) Broz of Tyndall, SD; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son Robert Lee Jr., and brothers: Joseph Rothschadl, Richard Rothschadl, and Roger Rothschadl.
This obituary was written by Goglin Funeral Home on behalf of the Robert Rothschadl family.