Andrew B. Rote

Andrew B. “Andy” Rote, 87, of Lancaster, passed away on Saturday, October 3 at Lancaster General Hospital after a brave struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was the loving husband of Nancy McCormick Rote, with whom he would have celebrated 59 years of marriage this December. Born in Lancaster, Andy was the son of the late Andrew Herbert and Mildred Bendler Rote. Andy was a devoted father to his children John Andrew Rote (Kelley) of Lancaster, Lisa Lewis (Dave) of Lancaster, and Michael Bendler Rote of Silver Spring, Maryland, and to his grandchildren John Andrew Rote, Jr. and Ashley Lane Rote. Several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, numerous nieces and nephews, and a large extended family also survive him. Two sisters, Phyllis Anita McGlincy and Francis Elizabeth Gaul, predeceased him. Andy was the president and treasurer of A. B. Rote & Company, a structural steel and ornamental iron fabricating plant on N. Plum Street, working there from 1946 until closing the plant in 1996. The company was started in 1892 by his grandfather, Andrew Baker Rote. A 1945 graduate of McCaskey High School, Andy attended Lehigh University for three and a half years until suffering a profound hearing loss from medication given for pneumonia. At that point he began working full time in the family business, taking over at age 29 when his father died suddenly. A. B. Rote and Company provided the steel work for many well-known buildings in the Lancaster area, including the W. W. Griest Building, the Long Park Amphitheater, and numerous structures at Armstrong Cork Company, Lancaster General Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, J. P. McCaskey High School, E. I. DuPont, etc. At Lehigh, Andy was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity and sang in the Glee Club. As a young man, he sang baritone and was a president of the Red Rose Chapter of the Barbershop Quartet. He served as a corporal in the U. S. Army from 1952 to 1954, putting his wonderful people skills to good use by teaching weaponry and military science and tactics to basic and ROTC trainees. A long-time member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Andy was also a member of the Lancaster Rotary Club for 57 years, having perfect attendance for 37 years. Other memberships include the Lancaster Country Club, the Tucquan Club (a past president), the Hamilton Club, and the Lancaster Pirates. He was a member of the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Volunteerism was an integral part of Andy’s life as well. He served on the Boards of Lancaster Junior Achievement, the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, the Lancaster Junior Chamber of Commerce, and the Crippled Children and Adult Society, now Schreiber Pediatric (treasurer). Andy was an avid “perfect parallel” snow skier in the winter and “captain” of his little red boat during the summers along the Chesapeake Bay and Susquehanna River. He loved hard-shell crabs, especially picking them at Gabler’s, his favorite crab shack along the Bush River. He loved to sing, read poetry and work in his yard. Andy loved people and treasured his friendships; he was the definition of a true friend to so many. His wonderful sense of humor filled many a room with laughter over the years. A celebration mass of Andy’s life will take place on Friday, October 9 at 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church at 558 W. Walnut Street. The family will greet friends and family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family at St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Andy’s name may be sent to Boys & Girls Clubs of Lancaster at 116 S. Water St., PO Box 104, Lancaster, PA 17608 or Schreiber Pediatric Rehab Center at 625 Community Way, Lancaster, PA 17603, or to an organization that is close to your heart.

Andrew B. Rote

October 4, 2015