Ohio veterinarian Paul Rothaug dies

April 03, 2009

A funeral service for Dr. Paul George Rothaug, III, 45, a veterinarian with Woodland Run Equine Clinic in Ohio and the husband of Standardbred breeder Stephanie Smith-Rothaug, will be held at 11 am Monday in Newark, Ohio.

Last summer Dr. Rothaug and his wife traveled North America watching Somebeachsomewhere race. Dr. Rothaug�s wife bred the world champion. The year after Somebeachsomewhere was born Dr. Rothaug was diagnosed with melanoma and the cancer went into remission before returning last year. His deteriorating health caused them to skip the Dan Patch awards dinner in Las Vegas, when Somebeachsomewhere was announced as the 2008 Horse of the Year.

The year Somebeachsomewhere was born, Dr. Rothaug was diagnosed with melanoma and the cancer appeared to be in remission, but returned last year. Last fall Dr. Rothaugh's wife's brother, Scott, died of colon cancer.

Dr. Rothaug, a well-known equine practitioner, died early Friday morning, April 3, at his residence following a lengthy battle with melanoma. He was born October 1, 1963, in Great Lakes, Ill., to the late Paul George Rothaug, II and Julie (Murphy) Rothaug.

Dr. Rothaug was a 1982 high school graduate of the International School of Brussels. He attended Iowa State University from College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1989 and receiving his DVM. He practiced at Cokesbury Equine in the state of Delaware; completed his surgery residency at the University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton Center; practiced at Toronto Equine in Toronto, Canada and Woodland Run Equine Veterinary Facility from 1999-2009. He was a member of the AVMA, OVMA and AAEP and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Dr. Rothaug is licensed in Ohio and Florida. He loved his family, running, skiing, animals, and he was a Harley enthusiast.

He is survived by his loving wife of four years, Stephanie (Smith) Rothaug, whom he married on July 31, 2004; sisters, Tracy (Rob) Vaden of Brighton, Mich., and Amy (Ben) Maule of West Lafayette, Ind.; grandmother, Marion Murphy of Illinois; nieces and nephews, Sam, Lilly and Luke Paul Vaden all of Brighton; Eli Joseph Maule of West Lafayette, Ind.; Chelsea and Cassie Smith both of St. Louisville, Ohio and Branden and Brody McDaniel, both of Utica; aunts, Pamela Bradbury of California, Sally Etz of Chicago and Mandy Caine of Ohio; and uncles, Jim Murphy of Illinois of and John Murphy of Newfoundland, Ohio.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his grandfather, Robert Murphy and brother Robert Rothaug.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm Sunday at Brucker and Kishler Funeral Home, 985 N. 21^st St. Newark, and also on Monday from 10 to 11 am. one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Home Reach Hospice Ohio Health, 3595 Olentangy River Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43214-4034; Life in Christ Fellowship, 9 E. Town St., West Jefferson, OH 43162, or American Cancer Society/Relay for Life, 870 Michigan Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43215.

To sign an online guest book, please visit www.brucker-kishlerfuneralhome.com and click obituary/guest book.

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