Stewart Benjamin Rorer, Jr

Stewart Benjamin Rorer, Jr. was born at home in Ambler, Pennsylvania on June 3, 1915. Raised in Ambler, he graduated Ambler High School in 1933. Stew, as he was known to his family and friends, had a lifelong involvement with music, both as a performer and a listener. While in his early to mid twenties, he played the trumpet and violin. He performed with a local swing band as trumpeter. He also played for various bands and for John Phillip Sousa's band at Willow Grove Park.

Drafted into the army at age twenty-eight, Stew fought in the Battle of the Bulge, was wounded twice, received the Purple Heart and achieved the rank of Sergeant.

Stew married Anita Edmonds on December 28, 1942. His son, Stewart III was born in September of 1943.

After his discharge, he worked for the United States Customs Department for thirty years, first as a port patrol officer and later as a customs inspector. He retired in 1977 at the age of sixty-two.

Stew was an active member of the Yankee Division Veterans' Association. (YDVA) for many years and served as Commander of the East and Past national Commander. He was also active for many years in the Optimists' Club and was a charter member of the North Wildwood Yacht Club.

Anita passed away in February of 1983. After seven years as a widower, Stew married Ruth Waninger (nee Ryan), the widow of fellow YDVA member Ernie Waninger. Stew and Ruth divided their time between Philadelphia and Florida, attending many YDVA events, including the 2007 National Convention in Groton, Connecticut.

Stew had a dry wit. Once, encountering stoplights while driving through a town in New Jersey, he pounded on the steering wheel, exclaiming, "Red lights, red lights. Don't they have any green lights in this town?" His wit never deserted him. On December 13, 2007 he told his granddaughter,
Roberta: "I can't see. I can't hear. I can't walk. But when I go to the doctor, he tells me I'm just fine!"

Stew passed away suddenly and unexpectedly late in the morning of December 17, 2007. He is survived by his wife, Ruth Waninger-Rorer, his son, Stewart B. Rorer III, his daughter-in-law, Judith Player-Rorer, a granddaughter, Roberta Anita Rorer-Montezuma, a great-granddaughter, Luisa Rorer-Montezuma, niece Katharine W. Hoover and other nieces and nephews. He was the last surviving child of Edna Mae Rorer (Weidner) and Stewart Benjamin Rorer. His sister, Christina Rorer Armstrong and brother, Donald Rorer predeceased him.

Relatives and friends are invited to call after 9:30 AM Saturday at the Anton B. Urban Funeral Home 1111 S. Bethlehem pike Ambler, Pa. Funeral Service 10:30 AM with the Rev. Paul Andell, Pastor of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Phila. Officiating. Interment Whitemarsh Memorial Park Prospectville, PA. Donations to the Yankee Division Veterans Association 70 Victory Road Boston, MA 02122-2628 in Stew's name may be made in lieu of flowers.