Rebecca "Becci" Mari Rothfuss, age 58, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, passed away on April 20, 2023, at the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Arkansas, after a short battle with cancer.
Becci was born to Donald & Ruth (Sandoz) Rothfuss on July 8, 1964 in Phillipsburg, Kansas. She grew up in the Kansas towns of Ottawa, Topeka, and Manhattan, where she graduated with honors from high school. She also graduated with honors with her bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Wesleyan University, obtained her Master’s degree from Oklahoma State University, and her PhD from Dallas Baptist University in Dallas, Texas.
Becci
served as Resident Director/coordinator of Student Development at her
alma mater, Oklahoma Wesleyan University for 6 years. She then accepted a
position at John Brown University as Associate Dean of
students/director of leadership and student activities, and later joined
the faculty at JBU as associate professor of leadership studies. While
at JBU, she designed and developed the Leadership Scholar Institute
program. She led that program for 14 years, mentoring and teaching
hundreds of students in key leadership skills. For many years she also
served at JBU’s international studies program in Ireland. Growing up in a
pastor’s home, she was introduced to her Savior, Jesus Christ, at a
young age and continued to minister Christ’s love in a multiple of roles
throughout her lifetime.
Becci was well-known for her great
gourmet cooking and hospitality, as well as artistic decorating shown in
her lovely home. Hardly a week went by but what she hosted guests for a
meal. Her pies were legendary. She loved to work with flowers and owned
a florist shop for a few years after college. She prepared the floral
arrangements for dozens of weddings, including most of her ten nieces
and many friends. Becci never married and had no biological children,
but in the greater sense, she served as mother to hundreds of students
on the campuses she served and was a mentor to many. She also became
like a second mother to all her nieces & nephews.
She is
survived by her sisters, Marcia DePriest and husband David of Ottawa,
Kansas; Linda Radaker and husband Greg of Dewey, Oklahoma; Patty Leach
of Dewey, OK; and one brother Eugene Rothfuss and wife Joy of
Independence, Missouri. Becci’s nieces & nephews include Dr. Kirk
(Kate) DePriest, Lara (Paul Douglas) DePriest, Katie (Robert) Wright,
Kristen (Luke) Sheafer, Kyla (Christopher) Radaker-James, Karissa
(Channing) Marvin, Wende (Tyler) Cassabaum, Cyndi (Andrew) Myers, Mysti
(Garret) Mayse, Joey (Jen) Leach, J’llyssa Baker, and Jade Leach.
Memorial funds will be established to support scholarships for family
& friends through the Sandoz legacy scholarship fund and a general
leadership scholarship fund to be established in Becci’s memory.
Donations may be given through Marcia DePriest, executor of the estate,
at 703 S Cedar, Ottawa, Kansas 66067; [email protected].
Celebration of Life services for Rebecca Rothfuss will be held at 10:30
am Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the John Brown University Cathedral in
Siloam Springs, Arkansas.