Daniel Paul Rothhaar

Daniel Paul Rothhaar, 71, of Burlington, Kentucky, died peacefully at his home on March 13, 2026, surrounded by his family. Dan was deeply admired for his love of Jesus, his strong work ethic, and his lifelong passion for missions. He cherished his Creator, his family, and his friends, and found great joy in his hobbies of cars and aviation.

Born in Willard, Ohio on December 21, 1954 to Kevin and Zelma Rothhaar, Dan grew up on several farms in the Bucyrus, Ohio area with his three brothers. He attended school in Ohio and Nebraska, often sharing fond memories of friends, dorm life, cars, and the years he lived with his beloved grandparents. At the age of 12, he committed his life to Jesus and celebrated that day each year as his spiritual birthday.

In 1973, Dan began studies in music and missions at Grace College of the Bible. That fall, he met Rosie on a blind date; they married on September 30, 1978 and shared 47 years together. During college, he completed an internship with Wycliffe Jungle Aviation and Relay Service, performing aircraft maintenance in North Carolina and Bolivia. That experience ignited a passion for short-term missions that would shape the rest of his life. That same summer, his Uncle Virg taught him to fly.

After graduation, Dan began a 28-year career with Delta Airlines. The couple’s first home was in Schaumburg, Illinois, where he was stationed at O’Hare. In 1980, they transferred to the Cincinnati area and settled on the family farm in Burlington, where they lived for more than 40 years. It was on the day they first viewed the farm that they learned they were expecting their first child, a moment they always saw as a beautiful sign of God’s love. Dan built their first house there and, together with Rosie, raised three children: Paul, Brian, and Sarah. He provided for his family through his work at Delta, a home-building business, and managing the farm.

Dan served faithfully at Hebron Baptist Church and later at Calvary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and in music ministry. He joyfully answered God’s call by leading short-term missions teams across North America, South America, Europe, and Africa. He organized work groups to build, expand, and refurbish churches and Christian ministries in partnership with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board, Scioto Hills Camp, Potter’s Ranch, Fairhaven Rescue Mission, and Kentucky Mountain Mission. He also provided relief aid, performed aircraft maintenance, and helped construct runways, hangars, and facilities with Samaritan’s Purse, ABWE, Word of Life, and Wycliffe JAARS.

In later years, Dan continued to pursue his love of aviation. He built kit airplanes, conducted aerial surveys, and served as a certified flight instructor. He delighted in sharing this passion by taking family and friends flying and attending air shows.

Dan is survived by his loving wife Rosie; their children Paul (Kaeli) Rothhaar, Brian (Lisa) Rothhaar, and Sarah (Daniel) Burkhard; and seven grandchildren, Eli, Roehn, Kiera, Ava, Eloise, Henry, and Edith. He is also survived by his father, Kevin Rothhaar; brothers Alan (Jean Ann) Rothhaar, Jim (Deb) Rothhaar, and David (Suzanne) Rothhaar and their families; brother-in-law Elwin (Caryn) Harder; and sister-in-law Sharon Harder. He was preceded in death by his mother, Zelma Rothhaar; sister-in-law Myrtle Loy Busenitz; and brother-in-law Eugene Busenitz.