George Donald "Don" Rosenkoetter, IV

George Donald “Don” Rosenkoetter, IV, passed away in St. Petersburg, Florida on September 7, 2024, at the age of 75. A codger, adventurer, campus radical, wanderer, father, brother, son, and friend, he lived a full and hearty life up until his final day. Born March 2, 1949, Don grew up on the banks of the Mississippi in Burlington, Iowa. A blend of the rascal in Tom Sawyer and the compassion of Huckleberry Finn, he spent his formative years searching the bluffs for arrowheads, playing bumper cars (with real cars) on icy lakes, and sneaking out of school to visit the local pool hall. Don attended University of Kansas and Monmouth University and enjoyed reminiscing about his time in the Iowa Writers’ Workshop where he was partnered with John Irving to critique each other’s work. That experience led Don to pursue his MBA from Southern Methodist
University. Inspired by his dear grandfather’s entrepreneurial success in the chemical industry, Don enjoyed a fulfilling career in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, supporting medical scientists in bringing novel products to market. Driven to make a difference, he enjoyed serving as an advisor to the World Health Organization and Florida State University. Don was blessed with two children from his first marriage, Sara and George. Years later at a party, he met the love of his life, Nancy Rohr Rosenkoetter, Don was wearing a pin that read "10 cents a dance." Nancy gave him a quarter; he was worth it. They danced all night and eventually got married with Don adopting Nancy’s son Blake. Then came along another child, Zachary, and it became a "yours, mine, and ours" affair with the whole family coming together
under one roof. Don’s foremost passion was spending time with his children and grandchildren whom he adored. He was “all in” where they were concerned, being the consummate counselor, mentor, playmate, and Santa Claus during his favorite holiday. Don took great pride in finding the
perfect present, often over the top in generosity. He curated grand adventures to bring his family together but also made the most of every conversation and simple experience with his insatiable curiosity, humor and kindness. Don loved road trips, where he would meander along country roads to small towns with historical or hysterical appeal, and hopefully some blues and bourbon. He would take genuine interest in all the people he met there and along the way. He was an avid reader, and enjoyed curating the perfect blues or classic rock mix, running 3-4 Fantasy Football teams at a time, and collecting wine, watches and hats from his travels. Don is survived by his children, Sara McBride, George Rosenkoetter, Zachary Rosenkoetter, and Blake Rosenkoetter, his brothers Eric (Ann) and Greg (Vicki), and his loving grandchildren, Cooper, Nora, Samantha, Harrison, and George VI. He was predeceased by his father George Donald Rosenkoetter III, his mother Betty Bonewitz Tod, his life partner Nancy Rohr Rosenkoetter, and his stepsister Margaret Ann Tod Stuart.

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