Sunset Funeral Home
1800 St. George Rd., Evansville

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Rohn Butterfield

April 14, 1947 - January 16, 2019

Condolences(5)

  1. REPLY
    Nan Spicer Eisen says

    Rohn and I were close, part of a really wonderful, warm, smart and irreverent group through jr and sr high.
    Years later, many of us plugged into FB and picked up with the same honesty, strong values and dark humor.
    Good thing our politics clearly overlapped. So once again, we kids who together cried at losing JFK in ‘63 and Resisted the current absurdity could really laugh.

    Rohn is and will be missed.
    Losing Rohn is a heartbreak. Rohn was so fragile and only chose to show strength, insight and humor.

    Thank you Rohn for your courage, wit, consistency, and affection.
    We certainly had fun.
    Say hello and give hugs to Bobbie, Joe, and Skip.

    Heartfelt condolences to Austin and all those close to him and whom he clearly adored.
    💞

  2. REPLY
    Eileen E Morrison says

    I am so sorry for your lost. When I was a fellow professor at USI, Rohn was both an inspiration and a comfort. As I am sure that you know, he was a gift to so many. You will be in my prayers. Eileen E. Morrison

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    Mark Taylor says

    I’m going to miss this guy. Rohn and I met via Mark Andes on Facebook. We chatted often on Facebook and met when he attended a TimeSlip show here in Indianapolis. I encouraged Rohn to write a book based on his amazing stories from his younger life in California. His stories could have come right out of a Jack Kerouac book. He was always a gentle soul and full of humor. Whenever I waxed philosophically he’d tell me not to think so much and accuse me of giving him a headache.

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    Nadine Goranson says

    Rohn and I were both insomniacs to a degree – we met through Facebook and enjoyed chatting during those sleepless hours. I loved his storytelling, and shared my memoirs and writing with him – we enjoyed sharing writing from days gone by. He was also a gentle soul full of encouragement, and willing to be encouraged, and was strong enough to admit when he needed a boost in his own self-confidence. Music was another favorite topic of our discussions, along with family – he was very proud of Austin. I miss his open and caring presence, and his ability to keep from worrying about the little things – he often told me not to think so much, and to have fun. He was a dear friend, and I will miss him.

  5. REPLY
    Mary Atkins says

    To my dear sweet Cousin;

    I’m writing my tribute as an email. It’s the only way I know how to say good-by, I’ll see you later. It’s been over a year and I just found out on your birthday, when I sent your yearly birthday text and it was somebody else’s number. I Googled you name and that’s how I found out, as you called it, “left this vail of tears”. I’ve been sending emails, which didn’t go through, but I thought given you retired the school canceled your email access. Unfortunately it’s the only one I have and as you know I don’t do any social media. I didn’t get your Christmas card back so I thought all was well. It was after all you who said ‘I was not very responsive… now I’m old and appreciate the simpler and more heartfelt parts of life a lot more. I am such a horrible correspondent, and I suspect I’ll remain so.’ Well dear cousin I can’t argue with that… LOLOL – you’re such a hoot!!!!

    I remember when we were kids you would hang with your friends and I would put on musicals in the carports at the apartments and you and your friends would come and try really hard not to laugh… LOL. Remember the time we begged our moms to let us watch the Wizard of Oz. It was the 1st time it was on TV, I believe November 1956, I was 9 & you were 8. Although you did say if I told any of your friends I’d be in big trouble…. I never did.

    Rohn you have accomplished so much in your life. I’m so proud of you. Look at how many lives you have touched and comforted. You showed them how to reach for the stars.

    Well my sweet cousin, it was time for you to move on. You will always remain a handprint on my heart.

    I love you and may the Lord keep you in His loving arms. Until we meet again, Mary

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Rohn Jay Butterfield, 71, passed away on January 16, 2019. He was born on April 14, 1947 to Julius Butterfield and Florence Skinner in Los Angeles, California.

Rohn was a wonderful man and great story teller. He loved sharing stories about his childhood in Los Angeles. He attended UCLA and the University of Chicago where he received his MBA. Rohn was a professor for 20 years at USI. He enjoyed teaching his Health Occupations courses. He loved his computer and would talk to his friends all over the world on it. Rohn enjoyed watching football. He moved around a lot and wherever they moved, that would be the team he would root for.

Rohn is survived by his son Austin Butterfield (Julia Moore) and his friend Kaye Rish.

Rohn was preceded in death by his wife Sheila Butterfield, his parents, and his step-father Thomas Skinner.

A gathering of family and friends will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 26th at Sunset Funeral Home. A celebration of life will begin at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to U.S.I Foundation Attn: Health Services Students.