Sven Rothfuss Obituary

Sven Rothfuss will be remembered as a loving husband, devoted father, cherished son, caring brother, and loyal friend. He passed away on June 3, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, to Irene and Klaus Rothfuss, Sven was active and adventurous from a young age. He embraced life with enthusiasm-traveling, skiing, biking, windsurfing, and enjoying the outdoors whenever and wherever he could. He earned a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Karlsruhe and went on to build a meaningful career rooted in sustainability and innovation. As an entrepreneur, Sven first focused on green construction materials and later specialized in environmentally friendly energy systems, working with cutting-edge technologies at SMA Solar and EOS Energy.

Sven's love of travel, paired with his professional pursuits, took him all over the world. During a work assignment in Austria, he met the love of his life, Lisi Zefferer. They fell in love, married, and raised three wonderful children - building a beautiful life together. In 2011, they immigrated to the United States and made their home in West Sacramento, California, where they joined Sven's sister, Nina, and quickly formed a close-knit community of friends.

At home, Sven found great joy in caring for his family, tending to the house, garden, and his vehicles (cars and motorcycles), and creating a warm and welcoming environment. His door was always open and friends were greeted with a hug and invited to share a hot drink or a good German beer.

A lifelong fan of soccer, Sven never missed a major match. He also became an enthusiastic supporter of the San Francisco 49ers, proudly wearing red and gold on game days, and loved watching live Formula 1 races with anyone who would join him.

Sven is survived by his beloved wife, Lisi Rothfuss, and their daughters Lena (20), Meike (17), and Nelli (14). He is also survived by his mother, Irene; father, Klaus; stepmother, Babs; and sisters, Nina and Anna, along with many dear friends and extended family across the globe.