William N. Rotton, M.D. passed away at Sitrin Long Term Facility on March 7, 2013.
He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on January 22, 1927, graduated from Yale University in 1949 and Columbia University in 1953.
He also interned at St. Luke’s Hospital and completed his residency at Sloane Hospital for Women in New York City.
Rotton came to Utica in 1957 where he started the OB-GYN department at Slocum Dickson Group. He later joined OB-GYN Associates with Frank Gould and Harry Wadsworth.
He retired in 1987 after 30 years of practice in both Utica and Old Forge.
He was a member of the Town of Webb Health Center for many years, feeling that he could better serve Old Forge residents at the local health facility rather than having them travel to Utica.
In 1945, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served until 1947 where he was a translator and interpreter in Japan.
In 1948, he married Mary Dale Prince who died in 1955. In 1956, he married Peggy Shaw with whom he shared a loving marriage for 56 years.
In 1961, he joined the Utica Curling Club where he served as president and chaired many bonspiels and competitions. He was an official at many tournaments and championships including the 2002 Olympics and World Championships.
The highlight of his curling career was the founding of the Wheelchair Curling program in 2003 and serving as an assistant coach in four World Champion-ships and two Paralympic Championships.
He joined the Utica Rotary in 1963 and was a three-time Paul Harris Fellow. He was active in Rotary World Curling and served as president twice. He competed in championships in both Canada and Scotland.
He also belonged to the Grand National Curling Club and the U.S. Curling Association.
He was a member of the U.S. Men’s Tour to Scotland in 1992 and the courier for the Scot team that came to the U.S. in 1997.
He was a member of Ft. Schuyler Club and Thendara Golf Club where he played golf for many years and helped to chair a number of tournaments.
He had a summer camp at First Lake and enjoyed gardening, boating, and time with his neighbors. Occasionally, he enjoyed cross-country skiing in the winter.
His survivors include his wife Peggy; daughter Dale Etzel; grandchildren Sarah and Brian; brother-in-law Duane Farr and wife Diane; brother-in-law E.B. McConnell; nieces Annalee McConnell, Marilyn McConnell Martin (Peter), Barbara McConnell Elliott (Ryan) and William McConnell.
He was predeceased by his parents Norma and William Rotton, his sister Jeanne Rotton McConnell, and nephew E.B. McConnell, Jr.
Arrangements are with Dimbleby, Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral Home of New Hartford.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at Niccolls Memorial Church at a future date. Any donations in his memory may be made to the Utica Curling Club Mortgage Retirement Fund, The Rotary Foundation, or the charity of your choice in his memory.
For online expressions of sympathy, go to www.dfwefh.com.
