United States Eventing Association

In Memoriam: Hank Rothwell

The United States Eventing Association (USEA) is saddened to share news of the passing of Hank Rothwell on November 3, 2017, following a non-competition related riding accident.

Hank Rothwell is a former chair of the USEA Foundation Board of Trustees (formerly known as the USEA Endowment Trust) from 2004 – 2009. He was also a member of the USEA Board of Governors in 2004 and 2005. Hank and his wife, Midge Rothwell, were generous donors to the USEA and the USEA Foundation. He touched many lives in the eventing community and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Hank was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 6, 1947 and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. After attending local public school for his education through high school, Hank attended the University of Utah and obtained a major in Business, graduating in 1965.

Hank enjoyed relationships with some of Utah’s best during his career as a businessman. He spent a decade working with Ellis Ivory before partnering with C. Patrick Bates and Howard Kent for another ten years. Then, he transitioned to work in the Park City real estate market, highlighted by the 12 years spent leading the United Park City Mines land development efforts.

In 1972, Hank married Midge Bernolfo, the love of his life. Together they had two children, Dylan and Ashley. Midge and Hank loved the outdoors, and over the years did all sorts of activities, from fly fishing and bird hunting all over the Western United States to mountain climbing from the Tetons to Alaska to Nepal. Midge had been a rider as a child, and when she returned to her roots as an adult Hank went with her. They spent a decade competing in endurance before shifting over to eventing.

In the early days of his career as a businessman, Hank assisted the Sister of the Holy Cross with fundraising efforts and later spent time on the Board of Directors of the Holy Cross Hospital. He also served on the Board of Directors of Western Savings and Loan and Crossland Savings. While working in Park City he became involved with the Park City Chamber of Commerce and ultimately served as the organization’s President.

He was a husband and partner to Midge, a father to Dylan and Ashely, a father-in-law to Erin and Mark, and a grandfather to Winter, Fisher, Wylie, Finn, and Liam. He is survived by his brother, Dave, and sister, Anne.

A farewell for Hank’s family and friends will be held on Thursday, November 9 at 10:00 a.m. graveside at Mount Olivet Cemetery, 1342 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, Utah.