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Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc.

111 North Reading Ave

Boyertown, Pennsylvania

Chester Rohrbach Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 21, 2014.

Chester W. Rohrbach, a resident of the Lutheran Home at Topton and formerly of Bechtelsville, died on March 20, 2014. He was the widower of Marion L. (Hirsch) Rohrbach, his wife of 47 years. Born on his grandparents' farm near Eshbach, Washington Township, he was the son of the late Aaron H. Rohrbach and Mary (Miller) Rohrbach.
He attended elementary school in Bechtelsville, graduated with the last class of Bechtelsville Junior High School in 1931, and then from Boyertown High School in 1934. He attended Kutztown State Teachers College, now Kutztown University, and received his standard teaching certificate in 1936. Thereafter, he began his 41 year career as an educator, teaching Grades 4, 5 and 6 in the same room at Bechtelsville Elementary School. After receiving his bachelor of science degree at Kutztown in June 1940, he was appointed teacher and elementary principal of the Strausstown-Upper Tulpehocken School District, the first joint school district in Berks County.
World War II interrupted his teaching career, and he was inducted into the U.S Army on June 1, 1942 at the Harrisburg Armory. He was then assigned to the 79th Infantry Division Headquarters Company, and he underwent basic training at Camp Pickett, Virginia. In September of 1942 the Division was transferred to Camp Blanding, Florida, and in November of 1942 he was transferred to the newly formed 86th Infantry Division Headquarters in Camp Howze, Texas. In 1944 the 86th underwent intense maneauver training for three months in Louisiana, and the division then was transferred by troop train to Camp San Luis Obispo, California, in anticipation of an assignment to the Pacific Theatre.
After the Battle of the Bulge in late 1944, General Eisenhower requested all combat ready units to be transferred to the European Theatre to deal with the resurgent German advance, so the 86th was transferred to Boston where it embarked to LaHarve, France, in a 70-ship convoy. The 86th did not get into combat until the fighting was near the end in Belgium, and they crossed the Rhein River into Aachen and entered Germany in April 1945. Previously a part of the First Army, the 86th was sent South to join General Patton's Third Army, which crossed the Danube River at Inglotadt before capturing the cities of Freising and Erding.
After VE DAY the 86th remained in Europe for a few months but was sent to Luzon on the Philippine Islands in anticipation of the invasion of Japan. Following the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the division remained as an occupation/administration unit in the Philippines until January 1946, when he was honorably discharged. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and received the Armed Forces Service Medal, the European and Pacific Theatre Campaign Medals, and the Bronze Star.
In 1946 he resumed his education career at Boyertown, teaching history, mathematics and English at Boyertown High School, and he received his Master of Science degree from Temple University in 1950. From 1956 to 1960 he served as Elementary Supervisor and treasurer for the joint authority which oversaw the construction of the addition to the high school in 1957. In 1960 he returned to his first love, the classroom, where he finished his career teaching 12th grade Problems of Democracy until his retirement in 1980. During that time he founded Boyertown's Student Council . He took a keen interest in his students' welfare, and enjoyed their visits for years after their graduation.
In his community he served as Bechtelsville Borough Secretary from 1948 to 1958. In 1963 he was appointed to fill the open seat on the Bechtelsville Borough Council following the death of his father. He was elected 5 times and served as Council President for several years. He also helped organize the Bechtelsville Giants Baseball Club, played left field for the Giants for a number of years, and he was the team's manager when they captured the Berks County Championship in 1948. He was an avid fan of the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Yankees, and a season ticket holder for the Reading Phillies and Penn State football for many years. He also enjoyed many trips visiting friends and relatives in the United States and in Germany.
He is survived by three sons: Bruce C. (Anne) of State College, William A. of Baldwinsville, New York, and Robert C (Denise) of Coopersburg, three grandchildren, Brian Rohrbach, Jennifer Rohrbach and Aaron Rohrbach, and two great-grandchildren, Jack and Harry Rohrbach.
The Rev. Eugene C. Zaiser officiated services which were held in Trinity Lutheran Church, Bechtelsville, 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 26, 2014
A viewing will be Tuesday, March 25, 2014 between 7 – 9 p.m. at the Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc., 111 North Reading Avenue, Boyertown and Wednesday, March 26 between 9:30 – 10:45 a.m. at the church
Interment followed the service in Bechtelsville Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Trinity Lutheran Church Trust Fund, 1749 S. Main Street, Bechtelsville, PA 19505.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
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Not sure what to say?

July 27, 2014

To Chester Rohrbach's family,
I always enjoyed talking to Chester about his family and his reminiscence of his connection to the Gehrises.
RIP,
Roy & Barbara Gehris

March 27, 2014

Stella Marino

Dear Kay, My deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

March 26, 2014

Dave Babb

My deepest and most sincere condolences to the Rorbach family. Mr. Rorbach was one of my favorite teachers. After graduation he insisted I call him Chet whenever we met but my respect for him prevented me from doing so. Rest in peace my friend, I will forever remember you.

March 25, 2014

Lisa Paluba

Chet was my teacher for my senior year of high school and it was also his last year of teaching. I feel so lucky to have had the honor of being in his class, I just loved him. What a wonderful teacher and special special man he was. He turned into my favorite teacher of all my school days in no time at all. He was pure joy & sweetness. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this very sad time. He will be greatly missed.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,

March 24, 2014

Jack Bartman

He was truly one of a kind teacher I've had the pleasure to have had in my senior year.

March 24, 2014

Sara Gernert (cna)

Taking care of Chester was an honor! I will never forget him. He always had a great story or two to tell me. I still think of him everyday. The home will never be the same. Bruce, William and Robert, you had an amazing and caring father. Rest in peace Chester.

March 24, 2014

A great American and a dedicated teacher. He'll be remembered by us "younger teachers." Goodbye to another of the greatest generation.
Bob Ballantyne, BASH 1964-1004

March 24, 2014

dave stahl

Bruce and Bill,
Your Dad was a masterful teacher. Of all the teachers I had in my youth in the Boyertown School district, Chet would be one that I would always remember. He was a strong supporter of the band at BAHS too, and we shared many great moments together. A wonderful teacher, a wonderful man, a deep loss. Sincerely,
Dave

March 23, 2014

Lucille (Frey) (Moser) Bates

I have heard about Chester Rohrbach since 1950 when I was married to John Moser (who died in 1975) and he certainly was some very, VERY special man to a lot of people. God bless you all today.

March 23, 2014

My deepest sympathy to the Rohrbach family on the loss of dear Chet. Through teaching, he touched so many lives in so many ways. I shall never forget interviewing him for our World War II Veterans Oral History Project. As I recall, we made two visits to him because he had so many wonderful stories to tell us. It was then I learned about Chet, his life and many contributions to Boyertown . He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. He was a gem! The last time I saw him was at a class of 1957 reunion...he took the time to attend and we were all so happy to greet him! Sadly, but so grateful for his influence on our lives.
Linnette Ott Hulbert

March 23, 2014

Kelly Dennison

Sorry for your loss, Rohrbach family. What a wonderful man! Chet was one of my most favorite teachers - what better way to learn about WWII than from a veteran! He and I kept in touch after I left for Texas and wrote each other every Christmas. He even attended my wedding, almost 20 years ago! I spoke to him a couple of years ago and he told me that his body was failing, but his mind was as sharp as ever. He lived such a great life and made mine that much richer for knowing him. Godspeed, Chet - from one of your "Chet's Angels."

March 23, 2014

Michael Mescavage

May your loved one soar on Eagles wings for the Great Courage HE has shown,
Our Freedom which HE fought for and His love of country for which he gave.
The members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
Michael J. Mescavage, Cmdr.
Dept. of Pennsylvania
Military Order of the Purple Heart

March 23, 2014

C. Russell and Cheryl Cattell

The Rhorbach family is in our thoughts and prayers. Chet was not only an inspiration in the classroom, he was an outstanding human being.

March 22, 2014

Michael Mescavage

May your loved one soar on Eagles wings for the Great Courage HE has shown,
Our Freedom which HE fought for and His love of country for which he gave.
The members of the Military Order of the Purple Heart
Michael J. Mescavage, Cmdr.
Dept. of Pennsylvania
Military Order of the Purple Heart

March 22, 2014

Bruce, Bill and Bob: We are sorry for your lose. Dottie and I are away, just want you to know our thoughts and prayers are with you. I shall remember your Dad always for what he did for my career in education.
Dottie and George Mclain

March 22, 2014

Christine Karver

Chet was always so nice & kind to me. May he rest in peace.

March 22, 2014

Lowell & Ruth McMullen

Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Chet will always have a special place in our hearts, remembered as a beloved teacher, mentor, and friend. His legacy goes far beyond the classrooms where he taught so many years, because he not only taught about social studies. He taught about life and made a difference in the lives of those he taught.

March 22, 2014

Jerry Schoch

A good teacher and a good man---he will be missed---Jerry G Schoch

March 21, 2014

Dean Houck

Bruce, Bill, and Bob: I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. He was a tremendous influence on many people throughout his lifetime. He always demonstrated a great love for education, and I am sure he was very proud of his sons for dedicating themselves toward achieving a higher education.

March 21, 2014

Linda & Frank Ferraro

Dear Bruce, Billy, and Bobby, We are so very sad to hear of your dear father's passing. He was so proud of his sons. I do remember how he adored your mother. He said, "Being a wife and mother is the most difficult vocation". You were so blessed to have such loving and devoted parents. Please accept our most sincere sympathy. With love, Linda & Frank

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Linwood W. Ott Funeral Home, Inc.

111 North Reading Ave, Boyertown, PA 19512

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Trinity Lutheran Church

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