Ralph Rottenberg, 83

EAST GREENWICH, R.I. – Ralph Rottenberg died April 7, 2023. He was the beloved husband of Toni (Parduski) Rottenberg for 44 years. Born in Providence, a son of the late Louis and Eleanor (Frisch) Rottenberg, he had lived in East Greenwich for 24 years, previously living in Barrington.

Ralph graduated in 1961 from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. He was a devoted family man who enjoyed spending time with his large extended family, especially at family gatherings and holidays. Ralph had a long and respected career in the lawn and garden industry as the owner of Darbco, Inc., retiring in 2013. His peers recognized Ralph with a lifetime achievement award by the Lawn & Garden Marketing and Distribution Association, the national organization for the industry.

Ralph was also an active member of the community, both as a mason at Redwood Lodge and in support of the Jewish community. He has been a member of Temple Sinai for over 50 years and a former member of the board of the Temple. Ralph also actively supported Chased Schel Amess Association (Lincoln Park Cemetery), including serving for many years as past president. Ralph was also an avid traveler with his wife, Toni. Together, they visited over 100 countries and every continent, where Ralph found joy in trying and sharing new experiences. 

He was the devoted father of James Rottenberg and his wife, Amy (Salk), of Reisterstown, Maryland; Steven Rottenberg and his wife, Susan (Swensen), of Warwick; and Julie Rottenberg, of San Francisco, California. He was the devoted stepfather of Bradford Webb and his partner, Amy Harrison, of East Providence, and the late Christine Webb and Wayne Webb Jr. He was the dear brother of Murray Rottenberg and his late wife, Joan (Berger), of Ossining, New York, and Alan Rottenberg and his wife, Debora (Dunn), of Newton, Massachusetts. He was the loving grandfather of Joshua, Jennifer, Kyle, Mark, Rachel, Zachary and Grace.  

Contributions may be made to Temple Sinai – Kaplan Improvement Fund.