Washburn native recognized for career as an educator

Posted 1/27/10 (Wed)

By Alyssa Schafer, Editor

When he was a boy, Derald Rothmann’s aunt taught him to speak using elementary math problems. It’s no wonder he became a math teacher, when you consider his passions for the logic of mathematics and education. "He just loved education his whole life," said Derald’s brother Lowell Rothmann of Washburn. Derald recently retired from his career as a mathematics professor at Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM), where he was an instructor for 48 years. A Washburn native, Derald was born on a farm about 7 miles north of town. Richard Tweeten of Washburn went to country school on Highway 200 with Derald. Known around Washburn as an athlete, Derald was a baseball pitcher who occasionally did a little catching.