Don Albert Rothgeb

Don A. Rothgeb, Gatlinburg businessman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, God’s faithful encourager, passed away surrounded by his family March 21st, at age 71. As a young man, he helped begin a printing business in Findlay, OH. He was a hiking instructor in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and made four trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He was a youth director for Greater Indianapolis Youth for Christ, where he met his future wife. Together they served as junior high leaders in their church and later worked in the ministry of First Baptist Church of Plainfield, IN. He was a member of the Indianapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of the executive council of Boy Scouts of America in Indianapolis and also Knoxville. He was appointed divisional sales manager for Investors Diversified Services in Ft. Wayne, IN. After moving his family to TN, he spent 25 years developing and operating Dairy Queen restaurants in Gatlinburg. He served on the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and was a member of the Gatlinburg Environmental Review Board. He served as Weeblo Scout leader in Gatlinburg. He and his son opened the Mayfield Dairy Bar on the parkway in Gatlinburg. They have also restored homes in the historic residential section of Sevierville. He was preceded in death by parents, Karl and Lulu Rothgeb of Fostoria, OH. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Patricia; son and daughter-in-law, Kurt and Vonda Rothgeb of Sevierville; daughter, Kristen Netherland of Sevierville and fiancé, Gary Rohrer of Knoxville; grandchildren, A.J. and Dani Netherland, Dustin, Devin, Destiny Miracle, Brittany Rohrer; brothers, Richard Rothgeb of Melbourne, FL; Karlton Rothgeb of Dublin, OH; William Rothgeb of Fostoria, OH; Aunt Helen Schubert of Alvada, OH; many nieces, nephews; mother-in-law, Joan Sink, of Sevierville; special family, Vyc, Sam, Niles Cole and work family, Byron and Brady Stanga. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Sevierville, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 on Monday, March 24th, with a memorial service to follow, Pastor Randy Davis officiating and special music by Scott Andrews. Memorial gifts may be made to First Baptist Church, 317 Parkway, Sevierville, TN. 37862, Boy Scouts of America, PO Box 51885, Knoxville, TN 37950, or UT Medical Center Hospice, 2200 Sutherland Ave, Suite 102, Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)