Paul Dean Rothrock

Paul Dean Rothrock, a native of Goshen, Indiana, passed away on December 21st at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California from complications related to diabetes and heart disease. He was 81 years old. A world-traveling Hoosier, he lived the past twenty years in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was preceded in death by his parents Bessie and Gordon, his brother James, and his sister-in-law Esther. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth "Betsi", two daughters Patricia (Gary) Banina and Pamela (Kevin) Magyar, and a son Richard (Elizabeth), as well as 5 grandchildren (Jennifer Reicherts, Chris Banina, Paul Magyar, Shaun Magyar and Ben Rothrock), 2 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many friends. A 1951 graduate of Goshen High School, Paul earned a Bachelors Degree at Ball State University, a Masters Degree at Purdue University, and a Doctorate at Virginia Tech. He worked as a Business Manager for two Indiana car dealerships and as a teacher and public school administrator in Indiana, West Virginia, and Michigan. A huge racing fan, he was in the stands at the Indianapolis 500 almost every year between 1963 and 2007. He also attended NASCAR events around the country and was an extra in the movie "Days of Thunder" (1990). He remained an avid fan of the Detroit Lions (where he was president of their Quarterback Club in the 1990s) and of the UNLV basketball and football teams. He remained a huge music enthusiast loving everything from adult contemporary to country but his favorites were Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Liberace. He was also a long-standing member of the Beer Can Collectors of America as well as being active in numerous professional and civic organizations. He will be remembered for his warmth, his wit, and his unfailing commitment to those he loved and to those whom he called friend. A time of sharing will begin Friday at 6 p.m. with visitation until 8 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, Goshen. An 11:30 a.m. Saturday funeral service will be held at the funeral home. Paul's son, Richard Rothrock will officiate. Burial will follow at Violett Cemetery. Memorials have been set up in Paul's name at Ball State University School of Education Scholarship Fund, the American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.