Larry Rotter

Larry Louis Rotter, beloved husband, father and grandfather, and longtime resident of Sodus, passed away at age 73 while surrounded by his family on Friday, September 2, 2022.

Larry was born on May 24, 1949 in Benton Harbor to Albert & Ruth (Racine) Rotter. As a boy he enjoyed playing baseball, Boy Scouting and had a paper route. He played trumpet in the school band and the guitar for fun. He and his friends loved to play pool at the Campus Q, and take trips to Northern Michigan or Canada to ride dirt bikes, camp and hunt.

When he was 15 he met a cute girl named Becky Pelkey at the Five Emprees Outdoor Unicorn Dance. She thought he was pretty sweet so she went to see him the next day at Jean Klock Park on his 1st day working as a lifeguard. They went steady for 5 years and were married on August 1, 1969.

He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1967 and proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1967 until 1971. After Basic Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX he was stationed in Empire, MI for 1 ½ years and then in Panama City, Panama as a Communications Specialist from September 1969 until April 1971. Becky joined him there shortly after they were married.

After serving his country, he returned stateside where he and his young bride briefly lived in Plattsmouth, Iowa. Ultimately, their strong family ties and community of friends drew them back to their hometown. In 1974 he and Becky, with their infant daughter, Jenna, moved to a small country house in Sodus to begin their simple family life. They welcomed their son, Jason, in 1977. It was there in Sodus that their love of gardening really blossomed. And over the last 48 years their labor of love has transformed that humble little country house into the serene oasis it is today.

He earned his Associates Degree in Business from Lake Michigan College. He began selling cars at Ned Gates Chevrolet and spent his entire 42-year career working in sales and management roles for local dealerships, including 26 years at Schroeder Motors and 8 years with Signature Toyota before retiring in 2014. He approached his profession with the same high level of integrity as he did all other things in his life, driven by a desire to help others. He was fulfilled in his career as he often said that he never sold anything to anyone, but simply helped solve people's problems.

He loved being outside, whether it be fishing on the Michigan lakes, golfing with his son, brother, grandsons, friends and family, as well as in his men’s golf league at Indian Lake Hills. He treasured the time spent with his siblings’ families during holidays and boating and relaxing at his sisters’ cottages. On his 30th birthday he was the unfortunate first recipient of a “birthday pie in the face” which has since become a time honored tradition and rite of passage for everyone in the Rotter family throughout the years.

His favorite pastime for much of his life was watching his children participate in various sports and activities and then his 5 grandchildren’s involvement in sports, theater, choir, dance, gymnastics only added to his pride and joy. He also “sort of” enjoyed several vacations and trips around the world with his friends and family, but he was always happiest to come back home.

His real passion was tending to his yard and garden. He had a tendency to get lost for hours creating projects and work that would enhance his home. It was not uncommon for him to come home from work and immediately jump on his lawnmower still in his shirt and tie. Sometimes he even allowed himself to sit back and admire his handiwork before his eyes fell on some other area that needed tending to. After retirement he would joke that he didn’t know how he ever had time to work.

Larry was most fulfilled when he could provide help and support for his family and friends. As a teenager he bought his older sister a car - admittedly so she could drive him around. He made Becky her 1st potter’s wheel when she was starting to develop her pottery hobby, ultimately providing the nudge to help cultivate her artistic talents into a lifelong career. More recently he devotedly cared for Becky through her health battles. He was never known as a very talkative man, and certainly not one to gush about his feelings. He was a true introvert and homebody. But if he loved you, you knew it because of what he would do for you. If you came to him with a problem he would always give the most sage and rational advice. Some of his words will stay with us forever: “Prior planning prevents poor performance” was a favorite to tell his young children. We repeat the funnier ones often like, “Who cares about you?”, “Does your face hurt?” and “It’s the least I can do. And you know I always do the least I can do”. But his most poignant one - “I’d rather be lucky than good” rings most true right now as he most certainly was both.

Larry is survived by his “beautiful, smart and talented” wife of 53 years, Becky; children, Jennifer Rotter of Holland, Jason (Megan) Rotter of Glen Ellyn, IL; and grandchildren, Gabriel & Abigail Missenis and Jackson, Ava & Vivian Rotter; and siblings, Janet Carpenter, Connie Kepner, and Edward Rotter. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be held Friday, September 9, from 4-7 PM, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, followed by A Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, September 10 at 2 PM at the same location. Please respect the family’s requests that all attendees wear masks for both services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to www.vasculitisfoundation.org, www.careforcolbie.com (kif1a.org), www.firstteebentonharbor.org, or www.harborhabitat.org. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.