Dr. Earle N. Rothbell

February 2, 1927 - December 20, 2017

Rahway, NJ Dr. Earle N. Rothbell, 90, of Rahway, New Jersey, passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Dr. Rothbell was born in Brooklyn, New York where he was raised by Michael and Pearl (Bookbinder) Rothbell. Earle volunteered and proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Upon completion of his military service, Earle attended Cornell University, and after only three years of college, enrolled at Harvard Medical School, where he graduated at the top of his class in 1953. He completed his residency training in internal medicine and cardiology in Syracuse, New York. Dr. Rothbell practiced medicine in Colonia, New Jersey for nearly 60 years, where he focused on geriatrics and cardiology. Dr. Rothbell was both a brilliant diagnostician and a community physician highly devoted to his patients, many of whom have seen him for generations. He often made house calls to visit those too ill to leave their homes. He served as Chief of the Medical Staff at the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in Rahway, and Chief of Staff at the JFK Medical Center in Edison, where he was a founding member. Dr. Rothbell was an ardent student of history and loved to read the New York Times from cover to cover. He was highly devoted to his family and enjoyed spirited conversations with them about historical and current events. He also had a passion for chocolate and dogs. Earle is survived by his wife of 47 years, Joan; his brother Sheldon and sister-in-law Gladys; and his children, David Rothbell; Jay Sheckley and her husband, Jack Rems; Laurie Furman and her husband, Daniel Rosenthal; and Jill Furman and her husband, Daniel Lacoretz. He will also be missed by his five grandchildren, Windell, Hannah, Caleb, Rebecca and Rachel, and a great-grandchild, Elizabeth, all of whom adored him. Private funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Crabiel Parkwest Funeral Chapel, 239 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ. For those desiring, a memorial contribution may be made in Earle’s memory to the JFK Medical Center Foundation, Edison, New Jersey. Shiva will be sat at Joan’s home, One Park Square, Rahway, NJ on Saturday, December 23 from 5-8 PM.