It Happened in Crawford County: Community involvement key for Carol Rothhaar
Carol Rothhaar is a daughter of Frederick “Dean” and Millie Balduf. Carol’s siblings are Fred, Barb Hart, Jack and Tony. Carol was born in Cleveland while her dad was in college for three years to become an electrician. They returned to Upper Sandusky where her dad’s family lived.
Carol went to St. Peter’s Catholic school eight years and then to high school at Upper Sandusky. Carol loved singing in choir and high school musicals. She also played volleyball. Carol graduated from Upper Sandusky High School in 1961.
After graduation, Carol met Dick Rothhaar at a Girl Scout Camp where she was a camp counselor. The chatter between the gals was “he’s not married and owns a new Ford Galaxy convertible.” Carol jokingly said, “send him out here.” Indeed, he did, arriving with the convertible top down. Well of course, she felt "obligated" to say "hi." She quickly thought “what the heck am I doing, I’m not that forward?” (It’s that time in a teenager’s life.)
They visited a bit, but she had to get back to her job with the campers. He said, “I’d like to come to your home and meet your parents.” It really was a different way of meeting someone. They dated for about three months while she was also in nurses training. Carol quickly realized nursing wasn’t right for her.
Back home again, Carol took a job at Fairhaven Nursing Home as a nurse aide. In January of that year, Dick popped the question and gave her a ring. Dick’s parents were Nelson and Alverda Rothhaar. His mom passed away when he was only 6. Life had been hard for him; he even bought his own bed. His sister Arlene helped raise him. Dick wasn’t losing any time to make sure that Carol was going to be his wife, and they were married July 20, 1962.
They lived in Upper Sandusky for a short time, but he had been working at Timken before meeting Carol. When they moved to Bucyrus they lived in an apartment across from Swan Rubber, but soon after they bought a home on Maple Street — the same time their daughter was born.
Dick didn’t want Carol to work until the kids were in school, but at that time, Sarah Coventry jewelry parties were very popular. Even though Dick wasn’t excited, she started working a few hours a week. It’s just the way things happen. At that time Carol didn’t know many people in Bucyrus, and the Sarah Coventry parties were a lot of fun. It was a time for the moms to get out and enjoy something on their own.
About that same time, Dick and Carol went to a Bucyrus Little Theatre production under Bob Slater’s direction of the “The Odd Couple.” She thought to herself, “the next time they have a musical I plan to be in it.” That started her time with the Little Theatre; so much fun, great memories. She was in several plays singing in the chorus of the “Sound of Music.” She had the lead in “The Boy Friend.” They danced the Charleston. It was so much fun. She also had a role in “Annie Get your Gun.”
The names of many shows are now forgotten. Dick was also in the Little Theatre. He was in “The Youngest” as one of the sons; also “Stalag 17,” and he also helped with the sets. Theatre ran in the family, and when their daughters got old enough they were in Little Theatre, too. When the second “Sound of Music” opened, Lisa played Marta and Dawn played Brigitta. Carol wasn’t always on the stage; sometimes she helped in makeup etc.
For many years Holy Trinity Choir was made up of only men. Carol stepped up and said, “I need to be in the choir.” From then on it changed things for the good. She is still a choir member, but she often sang solos for weddings or other events. She volunteered for the Red Cross blood drives by serving food while Dick was donating blood.
“I’m involved in so many things, it’s pathetic," says Carol.
Dick was a police auxiliary man, riding along and helping as needed such as directing traffic at July 4 events and the Bratwurst Festival. He loved it. When Dick learned he had cancer, he had worked 35 years at Timken and was retired. It was a sadness when he passed away 9 months later in November 1995.
Carol worked in food service for 25 years, especially at Lincoln School and later at the high school. When her dad was ill she wanted to help him, so it was time to leave the job. She has dedicated mega hours of her life these past 30 years for Crawford County Contact (see 2017 story). For a major part of the years, Contact was local but now people are calling from all over the county. Their main job is to listen and encourage people; they are mostly lonely and have no one to care.
Dick and Carol had three children: Dawn Rittenhouse, owner of “Gibson The Florist” in Delaware; Lisa Smalley, a nurse in Findlay; and Michael, who works for Val Castings as a jewelry designer. He studied at the Pittsburgh Art Institute.
Go online for more of Mary Fox’s stories and photos on bucyrustelegraphforum.com. If you are interested in sharing a story, write Mary Fox, 931 Marion Road, Bucyrus, OH 44820 or email littlefoxfactory@columbus.rr.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Carol Rothhaar and her community involvement over the years
