Melvin Dennis Rorabaugh

A memorial visitation for Melvin Dennis Rorabaugh, 86, Lawrence will be held at 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., February 18th, 2022 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.  Dennis passed away on Sunday, January 30 2022 at Bridge Haven Village in Lawrence.

Dennis was born on June 28, 1935, in Smith Center, KS, the son of Melvin E. and Elsa B. (Loofbourrow) Rorabaugh.  He graduated from Seneca High School in Seneca, KS  in 1953.  He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Emporia State University where he met and married his wife, Janet Sue McGregor, on May 4, 1957. He then began his career as a high school physics and mathematics teacher in 1958 in Phillipsburg, KS. He also taught in Atchison, KS and then in Lawrence, KS until he retired in 1995.

Besides teaching, Dennis was an assistant boys’ gymnastics coach and a girls’ softball coach at Lawrence High School. He was a longtime member of the Kansas National Education Association and a member of the Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity at Emporia State University.

Dennis had a great love of sports and enjoyed visiting many different cities while attending major and minor league baseball games.  He was a dedicated fan of KU basketball, the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs.  He was also an avid woodworker and enjoyed making treasured decorations for his friends and family.  He and wife, Janet were long-time volunteers for Lawrence Meals on Wheels.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 64 years, daughter Danette Umholtz and husband Mark of Lawrence, daughter Diane Spearman of Tulsa, OK, son Darren Rorabaugh and wife Sue of Fairbanks, AK, son Don Rorabaugh and wife Nora of Carlton, OR, son Dale Rorabaugh and wife Rosa of Lawrence, brother-in-law Gary McGregor of Atchison, KS, 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, brother, and sister.

Dennis’ family would like to thank Bridge Haven Village and the Visiting Nurses Association Hospice team for their thoughtful care and support.

Memorial contributions may be made in Dennis’ name to Lawrence Meals on Wheels and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS  66044.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.