The new onset craze of the Ice Bucket Challenge, to raise awareness and money for ALS, brought to mind thoughts of my husband’s military story and his battle with ALS that ended on November 1, 2010.
When Karlton showed up for his Basic Training, he was immediately summoned to the Commanders Office. Karl’s file indicated intelligence, administrative abilities and that he could type over 100 words per minute. The office was cluttered and stacked with unfinished paperwork and he was asked, “Can you help me?” So that’s what Karl did, managed a prefect, neat, organized, efficient office throughout the entire basic training. At the conclusion, he was told to pick whatever he would like to do and to “stand by for further orders”. So even today….Karlton J. Rothgeb, is standing by for further orders, but he is standing by – beside God.
My nephew, Bret Turnbull, did the Ice Bucket Challenge with two friends, with each nominating 3 others. ALS leaves its victims with a life expectancy of two to five years after diagnosis, affects roughly 30,000 Americans and there is no treatment and there is no cure.
In Loving Memory of my husband, Karlton J. Rothgeb, Attorney at Law, December 4, 1938 to November 1, 2010. Within 2 years of receiving the diagnoses of ALS, Karl died peacefully in his sleep on November 1, 2010.
“See the Epic ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!” Video
M’
Merrilee Turnbull (Rothgeb)
