Robert Wallace Roti, the son of Samuel Martin and Betty Elfrida (Larson) Roti, was born Feb. 13, 1922, in Cottonwood, Minn. His childhood years were spent in Cottonwood, Marshall and Tracy Minn., where he received his education, graduating from Tracy High School in 1939. Following his schooling, Bob lived in Sioux Falls, S.D. and later moved to Spencer, Ia. He entered the military in Nov. 4, 1942. Bob married Stella Elizabeth Piper on Sept. 16, 1943, at Camp Adair Army Chapel at Corvallis, Ore. Following their marriage, he continued to serve in the military with the U.S. Army until his honorable discharge on Dec. 9, 1945. During his military career, he was decorated with the Bronze Star Medal, Rhineland Campaign, ETO, WWII Victory Ribbon, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge from the military, he returned to Spencer, Ia., where he began his career with Federated Insurance of Owatonna, where he was a Senior Premium Auditor for 32 years, until his retirement on March 31, 1985. After his retirement, he worked part-time for Worthington Monument Works. Bob was a lifetime member of the 70th Infantry Division Association, the American Legion and the VFW. He was also an active member of the First Christian Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Elder, Deacon, choir member, was a C.M.F. President and Secretary/Treasurer as well as serving in many departments and committees at the church. He was also an active member of the Golden K Kiwanis.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Stella on Oct. 21, 2000; an infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth; a daughter-in-law, Annette Roti; and a sister and brother-in-law, Doryce (Roti) and Harry Knapper.
Left to cherish his memory are his three sons: Thomas Roti and his wife, Kae of Spencer, John Roti of Wayzata, Minn. and Dr. Steven Roti and his wife, Lisa of Spirit Lake, Ia.; six grandsons: Adam, Ross, Scott, Ben, Erik and Dane Roti; two granddaughters: Rachel and Sarah Roti; other relatives and many friends.
My grandfather passed away Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at Northshire Residence in Spencer. In honor of his service and his legacy I crated a dog tag helmet using his original dog tags from WWII. Grandpa Roti was an amazing man and the piece is very personal to me. It's made of a low fire earthenware clay and low fire underglazes. I plan on making more work with dog tags in the future.
