Richard F. Roti, International Parking Design Founder

March, 2006

Richard F. Roti, the Founder of International Parking Design, passed away Dec. 24, 2005, in Newport Beach, CA. He was 81.
Roti, who was born in Ishpeming, MI, in 1924, was one of six children of Victor Roti, an immigrant from southern Italy, and Victoria Nardi Roti, whose parents were immigrants.
Drafted into the Army in 1943, Roti was wounded in action on March 9, 1945, just across the Rhine River following the capture of the Remagen Bridge. After a 13-month hospital stay, he turned to weightlifting to build up damaged leg muscles and restore his badly depleted frame, later becoming a weightlifting instructor during his undergraduate studies.
He attended the University of Michigan, School of Architecture. His greatest passion was flying, which he enjoyed with wife, Dorothy, who also was a licensed pilot.
In February 1969, he started his own consulting and architectural practice, specializing in the design of parking structures. International Parking Design expanded rapidly to three offices, located in Sherman Oaks, Orange County and Oakland, CA.
Roti designed more than 500 parking structures and consulted on more than 800 buildings. His designs can be found in such places as Beijing, China; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Tijuana, Mexico. Clients included the architectural firm of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, as well as Kaiser Permanente Medical Facilities, the cities of Portland, OR, and Sacramento, Santa Monica and Beverly Hills, CA.
Roti wrote countless papers on the subject. He was invited to address the Royal Institute of British Architects in London in 1980. He was a founding member and former chairman of the National Parking Association.
According to Dilip Nandwana, the current IPD CEO: "He leaves a legacy with IPD in terms of the company's commitment to provide the highest level of service and professionalism to all clients. Richard used to say, 'Never do anything that you have to apologize for later.'"
Roti retired in 1993, selling the business to the employees. After Dorothy's death in 1983, he learned to ride a motorcycle and traveled extensively throughout Europe (particularly in Italy), North Africa, Australia and New Zealand. He enjoyed the lifestyle of his Irvine, CA, home on the lake for 13 years, riding his bike on morning outings, puttering on his boat in Dana Point Harbor and traveling.
On March 24, 2000, he married Marnie O'Brien. They moved to Turtle Rock, where he renewed his interest in growing roses and home decorating.
In addition to his wife, five sisters and four brothers-in-law, Roti is survived by Steven and Tina Pavelic-Roti; Rita Roti and Jon Scarborough; Mike and Sally O'Brien; Jim and Kelly Sliwicki; Mike and Patti Shacklett; Dan and Salma O'Brien; and seven grandchildren.
Contributions may be made to the Hoag Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 6100, Newport Beach, CA 92658-6100. A memorial fund in his name will be established to benefit the Hoag Heart Institute.