Ofer Rotem was born on September 22, 1954 in Chicago to Yaakov and Chaya. In 1955 the family made aliya and moved first to Ramat Gan, then to Dimona. When Ofer was 10, they moved to Afula where he completed both elementary and high schools. He studied biology and was active in a variety of sports including soccer, basketball, swimming, weight-lifting and ping pong.
Ofer was drafted into the IDF in November 1972 and volunteered for the Paratroopers. During the Yom Kippur War he served in Sinai and was killed in the Ariel bombardment of Refidim on October 8, 1973.
He was buried in Afula and left behind his parents.
