Nan Ruthfuss Obituary, Death – As a result of COVID, the cherished wife of Henry (Hank) Rothfuss, M.D., Nancy (Nan) Houck Rothfuss, who passed away on November 15, 2022 at Riverside Hospital, was able to pass away in peace. She was raised in Downers Grove, Illinois, and graduated from Downers Grove North High School in 1961. She was born in Olney, Illinois on July 28, 1943, but her parents, Frank W. and “Ned” Houck, moved the family there shortly after. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965 from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, with a major in English and a minor in Biology. She also earned a Teaching Certificate from this institution. She graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree in Technical Theater from the University of Illinois in 1970. She graduated from CNU in Newport News with over seventy credit hours.
Nan was gifted in a variety of areas. She was extraordinarily gifted in the area of organization. Since she had a passion for instructing, she spent two years working for the Chicago Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she was responsible for teaching Water Safety Instructors (WSI), Small Boat Safety, and First Aid Classes. In Aurora, Illinois, Nan was a middle school English teacher at Waldo Middle School. She particularly enjoyed teaching English to students in the 10th grade and has many, many fond memories of her students and friends from her time at Warwick High School in Newport News – have, has, had, should, would, could.. She was in Sacramento, California, to see her girlfriend when she ran into Lt. Henry (Hank) Rothfuss, who was in the United States Air Force. They tied the knot on September 25th, 1971, and soon after, they relocated to Newport News. Through the next 51 years, Nan supported her husband’s education at EVMS so that he could obtain his medical degree. She was his wonderful best friend, as well as the manager of the office and the lab.
For the past 36 years, Nan has served as the Republican Party Secretary for Newport News. She served in that capacity for the first Congressional Republican Party for a total of 34 years. She cherished the many friends she had made through her involvement in politics and square and round dancing. Her husband, her brother John Houck of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and her two nieces, Ann Houck and Donna Wensell, are the only people who will remember Nan after she has passed away. It was her wish that there be no services held for her. An extra special thank you goes out to all of the compassionate and loving staff members at Riverside Hospital, including the doctors, nurses (especially Emily), social workers (especially Erika Anderson), and support staff. Nan had a deep love for God and she endeavored to live out her faith. TRUST IN GOD AT ALL TIMES AND IN ALL THINGS. Peninsula is in charge of making the necessary arrangements. Newport News, Virginia 23601, Funeral Home located at 11144 Warwick Boulevard.