Edmund George Rotzinger

Our Grandpa was born in Columbia, PA on July 30, 1924 to Mary and George Rotzinger. He and his sister, Bernie, were raised by their maternal grandmother, Amelia Balbach, after their mother passed when he was two. Grandpa excelled in sports, especially football. He earned a football scholarship from Lebanon Valley College in Pennsylvania where he played for one year before joining the Navy during World War II. He continued to play football while in the Navy and after his service he was hand-picked by his coach to move to Oklahoma to help serve as the starting foundation of the OCU football squad. At OCU, he met and fell in love with our Grandma, his "sweetheart," Wadad "Poochie" Hassen, and the two were married on August 24, 1950. As Grandpa always told us, it was the happiest day of his life, and they spent a blissful 65 years together. One year after they were married, they welcomed their first and only child, a beautiful, bubbly daughter named Carol Louise (m. Rocky Duckworth). Mom remained the apple of Grandpa's eye until heaven called him home. Grandpa is also survived by two adoring granddaughters, Regan Leigh (m. James Morgan) and Cara Amanda (m. Richie Weiblinger), and three amazing great-grandchildren, Tate and Piper Morgan and Lucy Weiblinger. Grandpa was a man of many accomplishments and titles, but perhaps his favorite title was that of "Coach." He coached football and track for a span of almost 30 years at Harding High School and John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame as well as the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame (Susquehanna Chapter). We rarely went out when we weren't stopped by an adoring former student who couldn't wait to reminisce with 'Coach.' While family was the first love of his life, it was never a doubt that coaching was a close second. Our Grandpa was a man of humility, kindness, and pure, unfiltered happiness. He radiated joy. He never met a stranger. And he loved to laugh, even when Alzheimer's overwhelmed him during the last years. He will be remembered for his jovial smile, his hearty back pats, his leadership, and his determination to help everyone be the best they can be. He was also the best Grandpa any granddaughter could ever ask for because we never doubted how much he loved us and how proud he was of his family. He was our hero. We will love you and miss you always Grandpa. Thank you for an inspiring turn on Earth. The angels just got an amazing coach. Our Grandpa will be celebrated with a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 1 p.m. at St. Ann's Nursing Home Chapel.