Richard W. Rooker, MD, 92, of 337 Grace Village Drive, Winona Lake, died at 9:30 p.m. May 4, 2009, in Grace Village Retirement Community, Winona Lake, where he lived since October 2006.
He was born Nov. 26, 1916, in Niagara Falls, N.Y., to Albert Michael and Helen Bartholomew Rooker. On June 22, 1946, he married Beatrice Irene Haas, who died April 25, 2006, in Lewiston, N.Y. They enjoyed 59 years together.
In World War II he was a member of the 543 Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment from 1942-46, serving as a medical doctor in New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan. He practiced medicine in Niagara Falls from 1948-84. He led a robust, optimistic life snow-skiing, golfing and hiking into his 90s. He sought to serve others across his life. In retirement he served as a literacy volunteer and delivered meals to seniors for 20 years in the Niagara Falls and Warsaw/Winona Lake areas. He was a lifetime member of First Presbyterian Church, Lewiston.
Surviving are two daughters, Gretchen (and spouse Richard) Rooker-Parenteau, Sunnyvale, Calif., and Marcia Lee (and spouse Richard) Hamilton, Ohio; a son, Richard (and spouse Nancy) Rooker, Warsaw; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Ladd.
A private memorial service will be held in Niagara Falls. Burial will be at the family plot in Riverdale Cemetery, Niagara Falls.
No calling is planned.
Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, is in charge of arrangements.
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Condolences may be sent to www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
