Jack Hartzell Roecker, 91, formerly of E. Stroudsburg, PA and Warminster, PA died April 13, 2014 at his home in Alachua, FL.
Born: March 2, 1923 in Phillipsburg, NJ he was a son of the late Arthur C. and Zulah (Hartzell) Roecker. He was predeceased by his first wife: Bernice (Black) and second wife: Shirley (Williamson).
Personal: He had been employed by the Fischer and Porter Co. in Warminster, PA for more than 30 years before retiring. He had also served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. He went on to receive his commercial pilot’s license and was a pilot training instructor. He was active in numerous veterans groups including The Decrepit Birdmen (a group of WWII pilots).
Memberships: A ballroom dancer into his 90’s, he was one of the organizers of the Forever Fifties Dance Club of Stroudsburg and he was a Charter member of the Palmer Moravian Church.
Survivors: His daughter: Lois Daggett and her husband Ronald of Warminster, PA; sisters: Jane Adams of Allentown, PA; Faye Christian of Easton, PA; and a granddaughter: Michelle Rummel of Bethlehem, PA. He was predeceased by his wives; son: Barry Roecker and granddaughter: Lynn Daggett.
Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday (April 22) in Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton with a calling period from 10 to 11 a.m. in the church. The Ashton Funeral Home, Easton is handling the arrangements. Interment will be in Northampton Memorial Shrine.
Memorial Contributions: May be made to Palmer Moravian Church, 2901 John St., Easton, PA 18045.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Susan King, Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum
April 21, 2014 at 11:01 am
I was sad to hear the news of Jack’s passing. I had spoken to him about 3 weeks ago to follow up on our conversation regarding a flight in my World War II era aircraft – an Piper L-4J Grasshopper. He was looking forward to doing this.
He stopped by the Wings of Dreams Aviation Museum after our last fly-in breakfast at the Keystone Airport on Feburary 1, 2014. At that time he told me that he was losing his fight with cancer, but was soon heading up north to visit family. I offered him a flight in the L-4. He did not feel up to it that day, but said he would take a rain check.
I also invited him to be a speaker at our May 3 Fly-In Breakfast – a Commemoration of the Doolittle Raid and a talk on flying the B-25. He said that he would “if he was still here.” But 3 weeks ago,he declined the flight but said he was still planning to attend the Fly-In in May.
Jack was a supporter of Wings of Dreams and its missions. He will be remembered always through our organization. I will never forget him. I am grateful for the time I spent with him.
We dedicate our May 3 Fly-In to Jack….
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Because I Fly
Because I fly
I laugh more than other men
I look up an see more than they,
I know how the clouds feel,
What it’s like to have the blue in my lap,
to look down on birds,
to feel freedom in a thing called the stick…
who but I can slice between God’s billowed legs,
and feel then laugh and crash with His step
Who else has seen the unclimbed peaks?
The rainbow’s secret?
The real reason birds sing?
Because I Fly,
I envy no man on earth.
— Grover C. Norwood