Thanks for the responses. My concern isn't (so much) about losing root, it's about being able to install firmware/OS updates that may be released, without having to start with a clean slate. If there's one thing I hate, it's starting clean and reconfiguring. I wanted to know if I'd have to unroot/wipe/whatever just to update. From the sounds of it, I could update, but I'd then be unrooted until an updated rooting method was available.
The main reasons I have an interest in rooting are to have more control over MY device. It annoys me that there are several garbage apps installed, which I know I will never use, which I cannot uninstall, and which are always running, even after a restart. I find this near maddening. (It's a personality thing.) I would like to be able to use some of the powerful, interesting "root only" apps available as well.