Philip Rotert

Philip L. Rotert departed to meet his Lord and Savior on December 9, 2022.   Phil was born on September 20, 1936 in Montrose, MO. to C. W. (Butch) and Freda Rotert.  He married Jeanne Ann Heiman on October 3, l959.  He is survived by Jeanne, two sons, William Leo (Robin) of Clovis, CA, and Thomas John (Bedonna) of Laguna Beach, CA, and daughter, Jennifer Ann of Mission, KS and three grandsons, Kaleb, Dylan, and Brave, two granddaughters, Blair and Bethany, and great-granddaughter, Piper.  He is also survived by nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his brothers, Fr. Norman, and John and sister, Theresa Kempf.

Phil attended grade school at St. Mary’s in Montrose, high school at St. John’s Seminary, Kansas City, MO, College at St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, KS and the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana where he received a BS degree in Civil Engineering.  He spent his entire professional career working for the U. S. Army, Corps of Engineers in Kansas City.  In l968 he moved to Washington, D. C for a one year special assignment to the Board of Engineers for Rivers and Harbors.  In Kansas City, he advanced from being an engineer trainee in June of 1959 to Chief of the Planning Division when he retired in October of 1991.  In retirement Phil pursued various real estate investments, including owning and living on a farm in Bates County where he took advantage of the native pecan trees and became adept at grafting scion wood onto native root stock.

Phil had a full life with many friends and activities.  He met the Messiah Jesus and became a strong praying man who was a blessing to all who knew him.   Throughout his life, Phil was faithful in all he did.  He was a man of few words but had worthy things to say.  When he spoke people listened.  In the later years he often said, “I have no regrets.”  For all of that he sincerely thanked the Lord Almighty.

We love him and miss him but we look forward to seeing him again one day.

Memorial services will be announced later.  Memorial donations in Phil’s name may be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association,

225 N. Michigan Ave, Fl. 17

Chicago, IL 60601

Shiloh Center, (MO pregnancy center)

208 Oriole St.

Harrisonville, MO 64701

Zoe’s House (KS Adoption services)

13200 Metcalf Ave. Ste. 100,

Overland Park, KS.