Countdown to the millennium
Faces who made news in the 1900s
Jack Sam Rottle & Monte's Field of Dreams
There have been thousands of news stories that have appeared in The Vidette over the past 100 years. So, as we begin our countdown to the millennium, we have decided to run a weekly feature on influential people who made a name for themselves during the past century.
This week's feature is on longtime Montesano businessman and civic leader Jack Sam Rottle.
Jack Rottle was born on May 13, 1934 to Elias and Margaret (Kadey) Rottle in Montesano.
The son of a Lebanese immigrant, Jack's uncle John was a businessman who started the first Rottle's Store in Montesano in 1911. He later sold out to Jack's father, Elias.
Elias Rottle began his clothing career in June, 1926 in Elma. He moved to South Bend in 1939 where he and his wife operated a similar store for about a year until they moved to Montesano, where Jack was raised.
At one time there were four Rottle stores. In addition to the Montesano store, there were outlets in Elma, Shelton and Tenino, operated by Jack's father and his four uncles.
Jack started his first business venture when he was 9 years old
selling the Seattle PI and Seattle Times at a newsstand in front of his father's business.
He attended Montesano schools, graduating from Montesano High School in 1952. During his high school days, he was manager of the football team.
Jack also graduated from Grays Harbor School of Business and after graduating from that school, he went to work for Safeway as the store's produce manager. In 1955 he went to work for his father, and worked for him for 11
years before buying the business in 1966.
He ran the family business until 1985 when he suffered a nearfatal stroke which forced him to close the family business after 73 years of business.
Rottle's love of athletics lasted throughout his life. He attended football and basketball games at Montesano High School for many years and he sponsored numerous sporting teams. He was one of the strongest supporters of Little League baseball and girls softball.
Rottle once said, "sports are my very favorite and I try to go to all the high school games of both football and basketball. And that includes the away games."
In September, 1986 the Montesano High School football field was named in his honor.
Rottle served on the city council for two terms and was elected mayor in November 1979. He served as mayor of Montesano from 1980-1984.
Rottle was president of the Montesano Chamber of Commerce from 1977-78, president of the Lions Club in 1973 and the Montesano Booster Club from 1979-85. He also was Past Master of the Masonic Temple 64, a 10-year trustee for the Aberdeen Elks, a member of the Grays Harbor Footprinters and the Aberdeen Eagles.
He also received the honor of being selected Father of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Pepster of the Year. He was noted for lead
ing the cheers at numerous Monte sporting events.
He and his wife Janet had two daughters, Adele Margaret and Cathy Lynn. He also had three stepchildren, Judy Park, Jim Brehmer, and John Brehmer.
After closing his business, Mr. Rottle moved to Federal Way where he lived for several years. On Oct. 14, 1991 Jack Rottle died after suffering congestive heart failure. He was 57 years old.