Born in Harrison County, West Virginia at the little community of Wyatt, March 21, 1921, Tony spent most of his life in Rivesville, Marion County, West Virginia. During those tough days of the Great Depression, Anthony was unable to continue high school at Rivesville High School, so joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1939. After becoming part of the CCC Program, our honoree was assigned to Camp 2513, Camp Panaca, Nevada. and Camp Delmues, Pioche, Nevada. There, Mr. Rote learned a deep love of conservation of our resources. In Nevada, he learned the importance of soil conservation, working on dam projects, helping build storm drains, ducts to slow flooding. Tony learned to be a leader serving as a mess sergeant and was in charge of the mess hall. “Serving in the CCCs helped me to realize a deep love of God and nature....The guidance I had out there stuck with me my entire life.” Rote commented. Briefly, after his time in the CCC, Tony worked for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Our inductee served in World War II after leaving the CCC and the railroad. During the war, Tony served Stateside in the U.S. Army Air Corps training air crews for the B17 bomber.
In 1943, he married his sweetheart, Anne Miklich. They raised three children: James Russell, Judith Anne, and Kathy Marie. In 1970, he was proud to be part of the first class of Federal Mine Inspectors under the new Coal Mine Safety Law passed after the 1968 West Virginia coal mining disaster in Marion County. He retired from Consolidation Coal Company in 1976. He continues an active life in the little town of Riveville with his wife. Tony enthusiastically supports the West Virginia State CCC Museum at Quiet Dell in Harrison County and has attended a number of CCC events there.
Tony examining his Hall of Fame certificate.