Fredrick Rott obituary

Fredrick Rott, accomplished traveler and great lover of life, passed away peacefully at his home in Lake City, Minn. on Jan. 25, 2021.
Born on Aug. 26, 1932 to Louis and Mary (Schuler) Rott, Fred had a soul inherent for adventure and a passion for life.
Boredom was a concept unknown to Fred. After proudly serving in the Army Reserves, Fred began his life of entrepreneurship and travel. From sales to managing movie theatres, flipping houses to renovating entire mobile home courts, Fred did it all.
While following his business opportunities, Fred’s life brought him to Florida. An all too fortuitous outcome for a man who loved sunshine, warm weather and life as a naturist. After having worked so hard to have so much, Fred loved the simplicity of retired life in Florida and spent most of his well-earned retirement traveling extensively around the world.
Few countries went unexplored by Fred and few cruises unenjoyed. With a passport book too full to list, we would be remiss not to remember Fred’s fondness for snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean. Or his deep love for all things German, specifically his many trips to Munich where his father spent his childhood. Of course, little is as endearing as memories of Fred, in his 70s, still cliff diving in Mexico, ballroom dancing with the ladies on cruise ships as a dance host and at his favorite resort in Negril, Jamaica.
Amidst the work and the adventure, Fred discovered life’s greatest importance: family. Fred moved to Minnesota to be close to family in 2019 and never missed a moment to convey the importance of his time spent with them and how much he enjoyed his new hometown of Lake City. Fred was a member of the United Methodist Church, enjoyed games of dominoes with his new friends, community events and loved driving around Lake City in his golf cart. Fred’s family will fondly remember the amazing travels they experienced with him, the quirky songs he sang to himself, and many conversations often had over a glass of wine. His spirit is carried on by his four children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.  
Fred or “Bonka” (pet name given him by his grandchildren) will forever be lovingly celebrated by his children: Alan Rott, Sandra (Eric) Meier, Lynda Knutson, and Jennifer (Vinnie) Murray; his grandchildren: Jaime Kirkpatrick, Lisa (Jim) Kirkpatrick, Storm Meier, Ivy Meier, Ellie and Emma Murray; and his great-grandchildren: Parker, Christian and Jackson Kirkpatrick and Evelyn Meier. Fred will also be fondly remembered by family and dear friends that, while too numerous to mention, are certainly not forgotten.
Fred is reunited in death with his parents, Louis and Mary, his brothers and their wives Rudy and Mary, George and Barbara, and his beloved friend, Marion.
An outdoor memorial service and lunch will be held this summer in Lake City, Minn. to celebrate Fred’s life. An announcement with details of the celebration will be published at a future date.