Roger Allan 'Rod' Hotzel

Roger “Rod” Allan Hotzel, 57, of Manhattan, passed away January 6, 2013. He was born October 18, 1955, in Manhattan to Walter and Thelma Hotzel. Roger attended Manhattan Schools until 1972, when he enlisted in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany where he graduated from the American High School in Nuremberg Germany in 1974. He was discharged from the Army in 1975. He returned to the US and worked in the oil fields in Nebraska, Roger also worked at Tri County Lumber, Lousiana Pacific and several other companies in the Gallatin Valley. Roger enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family, also talking of their many adventures over a cold one. Roger enjoyed most spending time with his son Travis, whether it be hunting, fishing, wrestling in the yard or just kicking back. Roger was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Thelma Hotzel. He is survived by his son Travis Hotzel of Tacoma, WA; brothers Tom and Rick Hotzel of Manhattan, and John Hotzel of Bozeman; his best friend and life partner Bonita Jans and her daughters Brittni Howard and Krista Cole and their families. Roger did not believe in the fuss and tears of funerals and requested no services be held. Military honors will be held at Sunset Hills Cemetery in front of the Vietnam Wall at 2:00pm, Saturday, January 12, 2013 followed by a gathering of family and friends with drinks, music, conversation and a cold one at the Broken Arrow in Manhattan. Live Fast, Die Young.