Gregory Rothoff

Gregory D. Rothoff, Age 74, died on May 19, 2019 at his home in Twin Lake, MI with the support from Heartland Hospice after a yearlong battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. The Rothoff family would like to extend gratitude to all the staff at Spectrum Butterworth Stem Cell Transplant Team, Blodgett Rehab Center, the Hope Lodge and Heartland Hospice for their loving care and support. We also want to thank our unknown "Be The Match" donor for his living gift of stem cells. Please know that your stem cells were 100% accepted, but it was the Graft vs Host Disease that finally took over. Greg was born at Hackley Hospital on Nov. 8, 1944 to Axel and Wilma (Hartley) Rothoff. He was the third born of four children who all survive him; Gordon "Gordy" (Marianne) Rothoff of Colorado Springs, CO, Linda (Spike) Hulit of Summerfield, FL and Nadine Fonner of Kentwood, MI. Greg is also survived by his two sons; Eric Gregory and Leif Gordon (Trisha) and three grandchildren known as "The AAA Team"; AJ (Andrew James Blowers), Axel Frederic and Archer Gregory, along with many nieces, nephews and friends. Finally, his lifelong, loving partner and wife of 53 years, Sandy. Greg met his wife Sandy (Sandra Dunckel) though his best friend Doug Harmsen on April 6th, 1963. On Nov 8th, 1965 Greg was drafted in the U.S. Army on his 21st Birthday. Greg and Sandy were married May 5th, 1966 prior to his 18 month tour of duty in Korea. He was honorably discharged with the rank of E-5 in August of 1967. Following his father's footsteps, Greg was a residential builder for over 50 years. Using his vision and skill to build many unique projects (often without architectural plans), he once built an impressive three-tiered deck leading from a house to the pool, a house originally sketched on a paper napkin and also a "staircase to heaven" leading from Scenic Drive to the top of a sand dune. Greg was very involved with his sons' sports and extra-curricular activities. He loved all outside activities such as hunting, fishing, smelt dipping, swimming, sail boat racing, canoeing, motor-cycle riding, volleyball, and baseball. As an avid bow hunter since 1963, his first missed bow season was only last year. He also enjoyed bowling and partying with his friends. To know Greg was to love Greg. We find peace in knowing he has gone to join his special friends, Jim Ringelberg, Bill Luczyk, Fred Klimza, Mika Pearson, Mary Barker, and his parents. Per Greg's request there will be no funeral, but instead a Celebration of Life similar to their "Celebration of 25 Years of Marriage." The Celebration of Life will begin at 3pm on June 22nd, 2019 at our Twin Lake home. If you have pictures or special items from your time with Greg, we ask that you bring them so others can also celebrate how Greg touched us all. Memorials may be made in Greg's honor to any organization of your choice, but we do have some organizations that have greatly helped us through this troubling year: Be The Match, Grand Rapids Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society, Heartland Hospice Care of Fremont, and the CURED Foundation. Arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation and Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gregory Rothoff, please visit our flower store.