Martin A. Rotto Jr.'s Obituary
Marty Rotto was a big man who lived a big life. He was an outstanding oarsman whose Cal Berkeley team narrowly missed a spot in the Olympic Games, he once ate apple pie with the Shah of Iran in his family’s living room, and he was honored as an unofficial member of the Warm Springs Indian Tribe after working as their logging consultant. But even for a strapping 6-foot-5 man, the biggest thing about his life was the legacy of family and love he created.
Marty married Dolly Burgess in 1956, and they welcomed four children into their family. After Dolly died of cancer, Marty focused his life on raising his kids – until he met Dee Moore, a widow with four kids of her own. They married in 1977, creating one very big family, and lived happily together until his death at age 90.
In retirement Marty and Dee split their time between Scappoose and Tucson, and loved nothing more than to visit their children, and grandchildren… and great-grandchildren. They have 13 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, and Marty was the very model of a grampa. He was involved in everyone’s life, and sat through more sports games, concerts and performances than anyone could count. He was unfailingly positive and supportive, and made every occasion better by being there.
A woodsman to his core, Marty worked for many years for Crown Zellerbach, where he rose to management but most enjoyed being in the field. When he retired, it didn’t stick; he subsequently worked with the Warm Springs Tribe, loving every minute back out in the woods.
Marty was active in the Scappoose community, serving on the city planning commission and as a member of Kiwanis.
When Marty turned 90, multiple generations of his family wrote stories of their best memories with him; it was a fitting tribute to a good man for whom family was everything.
Marty had eight children: Debi Dickson, Sherry Moore Welsch, Kathy Watson (deceased), Donna Reif, Jim Moore, Connie Carpenter, Tina Gradisar and Marty Rotto III.
There will be a celebration of Marty’s life on October 22, at 2 p.m. at Columbia Funeral Home in St. Helens. Everyone is welcome.
What’s your fondest memory of Martin?
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Share a story where Martin's kindness touched your heart.
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