John Martin Rothgeb, 88, of Punta Gorda, Florida, died peacefully Wednesday morning, October 1, 2008 at his residence.

Born on August 8, 1920 in Washington, District of Columbia, John, a Veteran of the U.S. Army Aberdeen Research Battalion World War II, whose engineering experience and skills began at an early age building bridges and expanded to experimental Nuclear Reactors for the military, and as a civilian building homes and Real Estate sales, moved to Charlotte County from Falls Church, Virginia in 1968. Once here he began his career as a Real Estate Broker, and married the then Joyce Sours, in 1969, and together started Joyce Realty of Port Charlotte. He was awarded 7 U.S. Patents in Engineering, served 4 years on the National Inventors Council, was Past President and a Founding member of the YMCA of Charlotte County; was a member of Port Charlotte United Methodist Church, American Legion Post 110, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 82, all of Port Charlotte; the B.P.O. Elks Lodge 2606 and the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association in Punta Gorda.

Survivors include his beloved wife of over 39 years, Joyce M. Rothgeb; his children, sons John M. Rothgeb, Jr. of OH, Lewis Rothgeb of CA, Timothy Rothgeb of VA, Wade and David Sours of Port Charlotte, and John Sours of Punta Gorda; daughters Myra Ruth Vicente and Susan Marie Quick, both of Punta Gorda, and Beth Rothgeb of VA; a brother, Lewis Bent Rothgeb of VA, 8 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, and 4 brothers.