Rotella, Robert

Zero Beat July, 1969

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July 27^th, 1969 will mark the retirement of MSgt Robert P Rotella (The Ol’ Cotton Picker), who for many years prior to the inception of the Navy-Marine Corps MARS program to the Marine Corps, was very active in the Amateur system within the Corps. Working as NCOIC at just about every Marine Corps Amateur Radio Station on the west coast at one time or another and also in the system in Okinawa, Bob has won the hearts and trust of many a “HAM” because of his true devotion and endless dedication to a system that he and a lot of others wanted to see work. The desire to see a good thing prosper, which is inherent in Bob’s nature, was a primary factor that made N0EFD so effective in 1967. I had the honor of working with Bob at N0EFD in Chu Lai and could see that his attitude on many things pertinent to the success of our mission had not changed since I first met Bob when the Ol’ Cotton Picker was my radio chief and carried the rank of sergeant E4.

As you can see I know Bob Rotella as both a personal friend and a very resourceful leader. Our friendship has come a long way since 1954 and that is a lot of years to try and put in an open letter the true feelings of a fellow Marine for a buddy who has decided to turn in his microphone for the serenity of civilian life. Granted the program will continue. The real question is, HOW will the program continue? The die has been cast and Bob has selected retirement. I know that who ever takes the place of MSgt Rotella as N0PPC has his work cut out for him. I do not envy this person, I know that the shoes left by Bob Rotella will not be easy to fill. MSgt Rotella is presently NCOIC at N0ANP located at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, California. Those of you who do not know Bob nor have seen N0ANP, it is the “Station of the Month” in the December 68 issue of Zero Beat.

All I can say from a professional point of view, we are going to have to look many times over to find an individual with the capacity for not just getting the job done, but getting the job done with such success that to try and equate or evaluate this type of potential would take a lifetime. Dedication to God, Corps and Country are synonymous with the leadership qualities MSgt Robert P Rotella has possessed through his entire career in the U.S. Marine Corps. From a personal point of view, trying to find word to express my feelings for a life-time buddy would be like trying to explain the making of a sunset. This would be impossible as you well know and so, for me to try and express in words my feelings for MSgt Rotella would be just too hard. In a couple of words though, Bob has passed along a lot of his knowledge to me and I am presently trying to apply same in the MARS system here in Hawaii. I know that as the years pass and the system grows, what I do in the system will reflect a lot of time and patience of one MSgt Rotella.

Bob, I am sure will be missed but as long as I an active in both the Marine Corps and the MARS/Amateur system of the Corps, Bob will not be forgotten. It is most unfortunate that MSgt Rotella did not have the opportunity to serve as a District Director in our MARS program. I know, as do the guys presently in the program that the Ol’ Cotton Picker could not have been touched by anyone, anywhere as a director. A personal opinion yes, but an AUTHORITATIVE one. Let the man’s record speak for itself.

To MSgt Robert P. Rotella from all the MARS members here in Hawaii, a very profound Aloha, and from your best buddy, Via Con Dios.

73s

Dick (Stulz)

North County Times

Robert Rotella, 69

Oceanside – Robert P. Rotella, 69, died Friday, Aug. 27, 1999 in Oceanside.

Born June 7, 1930 in Connecticut, he lived in Oceanside for 20 years.

Mr. Rotella is survived by his wife of 11 years, Vivian Rotella of Oceanside, sons Robert Rotella Jr. of Arizona and Patrick Rotella of Virginia; daughter Linda Narron of Virginia; stepsons Joseph Young of Redondo Beach, Norman E. Young of Oceanside and James M. Young of Lawndale; stepdaughters Sandy Minnor and Claudetter Fowler, both of Utah, Waynette Jones of Las Vegas and Janet Young of Florida; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A private cremation is planned with cremains to be scattered at sea.

Eternal Hills Mortuary is handling arrangements.