Dr. Robert J. Roetker, DDS

Robert Roetker (Doc), 93 passed away on March 8, 2024, at 9:10 PM surrounded by family. We celebrate that Doc is now reunited with Anita, his lovely wife of 68 years, and other family members that are welcoming him into heaven. Anita preceded him on October 9, 2022. Doc was born in Terre Haute, the son of the late Herbert and Elizabeth Roetker. Proceeded in death by his sister Elizabeth Lynn, brother Jack Roetker, and grandson Brandon Smith. Doc received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and went on to receive a degree in dentistry from IU School of Dentistry. Upon graduating from dental school, Doc served in the US Army at the rank of Captain till 1958 and continued his service as US Army reservist until May 1964. 

Robert and Anita Roetker were married June 12, 1954, at St. Patrick’s Church in Utica, Nebraska. They began their 68 years of married life in Indianapolis, spent three years in Fayetteville, North Carolina before settling in Lafayette, Indiana in 1958 where Doc practiced dentistry for over 50 years. 

In addition to practicing dentistry, he was a true entrepreneur. Doc started or was a business partner of eight diverse businesses. He had a passion for building businesses and supporting the dreams of family or friends. At the time of his death, he was still involved in four of those businesses. Doc was “always in the game” with creative ideas or providing leadership to those he entrusted to lead the businesses. 

The most valuable asset to Doc was his family with nine children, twenty-seven grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. He loved to be surrounded by his family at his lake home in Culver, Indiana. Building memories with family on the lake gave him the greatest joy. 

Doc is survived by his children Mary Inchauste, Jody (John) Newton, Tom (Terri) Roetker, Barbara (Mike) Smith, Anne Krause, Cecilia Corcoran, David (Michelle) Roetker, Andy Roetker, Kate (Dave) Nikolai and grandchildren Christian, Suzie, Camille (Clayton), Mitch (Erin), Grant (Jessica), Bennett (Vanessa), Rose (Juan), Melissa, Morgan, Katherine (Brian), Fritz, Henry, Will, Stuart, Ross, Joe, Anna, Frank(Vivian), Jack(Lauren), Libby(Tristan), Drew (Mary), Ben, Max, Emma, and great grandchildren Bruce, Avery, Ilsa, Sawyer, Tilly, Louis, Sophia, Cliff, Ash, and Luna who are carrying on his legacy. 

Doc and Anita were big supports of the Lafayette Catholic School System and have requested in leu of flowers, send a donation to Lafayette Catholic School System c/o Roetker Family Endowment for Central Catholic Jr-Sr HS at 2410 S 9^th Street, Lafayette, IN 47909 https://membership.faithdirect.net/givenow/IN172/27807

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday March 15^th at 11:00 at Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Lafayette, Indiana, Fr. Dennis J. O’Keeffe officiating. Graveside services with VFW military rites will be held at 4:00 PM in the Masonic Cemetery in Culver, Indiana. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Roetker family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com