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The world has lost an incredible man, Edward John Roecker of Monroe, Michigan, passed away on, July 1, 2013, after a seven year battle with cancer. Edward J. Roecker, also endearingly known as, "Dad," "Pops," "Grandpa," "Beef," "Bear," "Coach," "Driver Ed," and "Lex," was born in Toledo, Ohio on February 27, 1948, the son of the late Milton W. and Hilda (Dorfmeyer) Roecker. He married Karen Mettes on May 8, 1970 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Toledo, Ohio. Ed attended Genoa Area Schools in Genoa, Ohio where he not only excelled in the classroom, but also on the football field, the basketball court and the baseball field. Upon graduation from Genoa High School in 1966, he attended Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, on a football scholarship. Ed graduated with his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1970. He attained his Masters in Educational Leadership from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1974. Ed's first teaching assignment was at Robinson Junior High School in Toledo, Ohio, before moving north and becoming a teacher in the Monroe Public School District in Monroe, Michigan in 1971. He started his career as a social studies teacher and was finally able to teach biology, his major and love, for the better part of his 34 years with the district. For the last 5 years of his career with Monroe, Ed was the Secondary Science Consultant, before retiring in 2004. As the Secondary Science Consultant, Ed was instrumental in developing the Lake Erie Environmental Outreach Program (L.E.E.O.P.). Under his leadership and tutelage, the L.E.E.O.P. Mobile Science Bus, once a district dream, became reality. Once the bus was overhauled and up and running, Ed drove it to the district's schools, Lake Erie, and other environmental sites where students had the opportunity and ability to have hands on experiences not allowed in a regular classroom setting. Ed was also a Driver Education instructor with Jefferson Public Schools, Monroe Public Schools and the Sears Driving School before retiring in 2009. From 1971 through 1996, Ed coached young men in freshman, junior varsity and varsity football and basketball for Monroe Public Schools. Through the years, Ed touched many lives as a classroom teacher, coach, driver, education instructor and mentor. He was able to see many of his students and those students' children excel and become productive adults. This made him so proud. While in college, Ed was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and was recently involved, with many of his brothers, in the re-colonization of the fraternity on Kent State's campus. He's been a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church for many years, becoming a member of the Catholic faith, just three years ago. Ed was a member of the National and the Michigan Science Associations and was also an active member of the National and the Michigan Driver Education Association. In his retirement years, Ed was an active member of the, "Retired Old Men Eating Out" (ROMEO) group. A group of wonderful educators and other professionals who not only solved all the ills of the world, but are expert conversationalists on topics as varied as fishing, golf, baseball, football, basketball, and most importantly food and friendships. Ed loved to participate and watch any and all sporting events, especially "The Ohio State University" Buckeyes football and basketball teams. He was an avid Red Wings, Lions, and Tigers fan. Ed loved to golf with his sons and friends and was always ready to hit the links. Ed loved his music, everything from heavy metal, classical, the Beatles to jazz. He could name the song and artist of just about any song, saying he stored a lot of useless information. He was also an avid reader, reading everything from sports to mystery novels. Ed also loved to travel and was willing to go just about anywhere at the drop of a hat. His most recent trips were to a friend's wedding in Monroe, Louisiana, a 21 day driving trip out west to Santé Fe, New Mexico and Sedona, Arizona and in January a trip to Williamsburg, Virginia to visit Colonial Williamsburg with dear friends. Ed's biggest pride and joy were his sons. He was so proud of their accomplishments and was in awe of their drive and their successes. He loved teaching, coaching and attending their academic and sporting events over the years and continued that enthusiasm in watching his granddaughters recent academic and sporting events and activities. Edward Roecker will be remembered for his noble, loving heart and spiritual warmth, which will keep our hopes kindled in the trails that lie ahead. He was our, "miracle and our hero". To cherish his memory, Ed leaves behind his loving wife, Karen, of 43 years; sons, Dr. Kurt M. (Colleen) Roecker of Monroe, MI, Dr. Andrew M. (Heather) Roecker of Dublin, OH, Spencer J. (Kristi) Roecker of Monroe, MI; grandchildren, Haley, Caroline, Katelyn, Xavier and a cherished baby coming in December; brother, Gary (Jill) Roecker of Battle Creek, MI; sister, Cynthia Roecker of Genoa, OH; brother-in-law, Paul Mettes of Toledo, OH; sister-in-law, Lisa Callaghan-Mettes of Brooklyn, NY, and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Paul and Virginia Mettes; his sister-in-law, Ruth Mettes, and brother-in-law, Patrick Mettes. Ever the educator, Ed's wish was that his body be donated to the Wayne State University School of Medicine's Anatomy/Body Bequest Program for medical research which was handled by the Mercy Memorial Hospice Center. There will no visitation per Ed's request but a Memorial Mass for Edward J. Roecker will be held on Sunday, July 7, 2013, at 4:00 p.m., with a greeting with family at 3:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monroe, Michigan, followed by a celebration of life dinner at LaRoy's Hall at 5:30 p.m. Memorial contributions on behalf of Edward J. Roecker can be made to the following: Monroe Cancer Center, Cancer Connection, 800 Stewart Rd., Monroe, MI 48162; St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cabrini Fund, 511 S. Monroe St. Monroe, MI 48161; Mercy-Memorial Hospice Center, 1070 N. Macomb St. Suite B, Monroe, MI 48162; Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute (Phase 1 Trials at Karmanos), 4100 John Rd., Detroit, MI 48201. The entire Roecker family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at the Monroe Cancer Center, Dr. Trivedi, Amy, Marybeth, Brenda, Sandy, Jan and Dodi for seven years of professionalism and love; they were Ed's angel squad. The Roeckers' would also like to thank the staff at the Mercy-Memorial Hospice Center for their outstanding help and professionalism during this difficult time. The Roecker family wishes to also acknowledge Rupp Funeral Home for their assistance with the memorial services. |
