Stephen A. "Steve" Orroth, Jr, 87, of Windham, NH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, after a 16-year-long journey with Parkinson's Disease. His legacy of humility, mentorship, and pioneering work in plastics engineering will live on in the lives of those he taught, guided, and loved.

Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Steve was the son of Pauline (Champey) and Stephen A. Orroth. After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as an Airman First Class at the Presque Isle Air Force Base in Maine, where his passion for science and engineering took root.

Following his military service, Steve began his career as a plastics molding engineer at Bolta Corporation. He then pursued both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Plastics Technology from Lowell Technological Institute (now UMass Lowell), where he would later dedicate more than four decades as a professor and mentor. His commitment to education was not limited to the classroom—he pioneered a hands-on curriculum in plastics processing that benefited over 3,500 students, created essential safety and lab manuals, and mentored more than 60 graduate students. Known as "Prof O," he was a mentor whose kindness and generosity shaped generations of engineers.

Steve's contributions went beyond campus. He served as Executive Officer of the department, co-founded the university's Industrial Plastics Seminar Series, and led international academic collaborations from Germany to Algeria.

Steve married his wife, Margaret "Peggy" (Mulcahy), and together they raised their family in Windham, NH. His life was rich with adventure and simplicity—hiking trails, vacationing the coast of Maine, and embracing the joys of attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was most at peace in nature, often reflecting on the beauty of Down East Coastal Maine, a place close to his heart since his time in the service.

Steve is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy Orroth; his children, Stephen Orroth and his wife Amy, Michael Orroth and his wife Kate, Daniel Orroth and his partner Kim Connell, and Caitlin Cronin and her husband Devin; his grandchildren, Jonah, Samantha, Ryan, Maxwell, Gabe, Ben, Mollie, Claire, Teagan, and Callen; his sisters, Elaine Lee and Diane Dube; and numerous nieces, nephews, former students, fellow Professors and lifelong friends.​

A Funeral Mass will be held at on Wednesday, August 20th, at 12pm, at St. Matthew Church at 2 Searles Road, Windham, NH 03087. The burial will be private for the family and will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, a cause dear to Steve and his family.  The address is P.O Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.

Arrangements are in the care of the Carrier Family Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, NH 03087. For directions or to leave a message of condolence, please visit www.carrierfuneralhome.com .