Rockot

James H. Rockot, 66, of Butler, passed away on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, in the comfort of his home surrounded by family.

Born Oct. 16, 1957, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late Joseph Rockot and Martha Ashbacher Rockot.

He retired from Bechtel as a senior adviser after a 36-year career as an electrical engineer. At Bechtel he spearheaded novel and influential programs in power electronics and systems design for the U.S. Navy. As a mentor for new engineers he also imparted his most essential wisdom: “KEEP THE SMOKE INSIDE THE BOX!”

Jim loved golfing and playing his guitars and was a lifelong fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The quintessential tinkerer, he loved to build and fix (and sometimes break) all manner of things. Above all else, Jim was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend who will be lovingly missed. He will be fondly remembered as honest, brilliant, resilient and deeply loving.

Jim was the beloved husband for 42 years of Joyce “Max” Daly Rockot; father of Natalie (Laura) Rockot of Shaler Township, Ken (Victoria) Rockot of San Francisco, Calif., and Lindsay (John) Simon of Butler; grandfather of Kylie and Mara Simon and Isaac Rockot; brother of Joe (Pat) Rockot, Ronda (Ray) Kopchak, Linda (the late Paul) Schmidt, Sandy (the late Chuck) Winer and the late Lorel Shoup; brother-in-law of John (Anna) Daly, Judy (John) DeSantis, Joan (Mark) Czake and the late Lou Zuk; and uncle to many nieces and nephews, including the late Melissa Zuk.

ROCKOT — Friends of James H. Rockot, who died Friday, Dec. 15, 2023, will be received for visitation from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER of Connoquenessing Township, 856 Evans City Road, Renfrew.

Additional visitation will be held at 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Jim will be laid to rest at Greenlawn Burial Estates in Butler.

Memorial donations may be made in Jim’s honor to Mesothelioma Research Foundation of America, 3011 Townsgate Road, Suite 450, Westlake Village, CA 91361, or donate online at https://mesorfa.org/support/GiveInHonor.php.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.