Charles Hager Rohrer

Charles (Chas) Hager Rohrer, 86, of Lancaster, died Monday, October 5, at Luther Acres retirement community in Lititz after a two year illness with complications from diabetes and congestive heart failure. He celebrated 57 years of marriage in July to Sally Rich Rohrer, originally from Marietta. Chas was born in Lancaster and was a lifelong resident. He was the eldest son of the late Richard Peoples Rohrer and Susan Hager Rohrer. Chas attended James Buchanan Elementary School, Lancaster Township Junior High and the Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH prior to enrolling at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He interrupted his college education and joined the United States Airforce in 1950 while serving in Korea during his four years of service. He returned to UVA and graduated in 1955. Chas was employed at the Lancaster Press Inc. from 1955 to 1994. During that time, he was Secretary and Treasurer from 1958 to 1973; President from 1973 to 1989; and a Director from 1966 to 1992 and later served as Chairman of the Board. The company was sold in 1996 to the Cadmus Corp. He was the proud and loving father of three children: Charles, Jr. (Deborah) of Lancaster; Thomas (Valerie) of Renton, WA; and Melissa Wanger (William) of Los Angeles, CA. In addition to his wife and children, Chas is survived by two brothers: Richard Jr. (Jean) and Robert (Joanne), both of Lancaster; and a sister, Susan Breig of Wallingford, CT. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Christopher (Christine) and Elizabeth Rohrer; Julia and Abigail Wanger; and Katelyn Chanko (Kevin) and Allyson Simbeck and three great grand children. Chas was a lifelong member of the Lancaster Country Club and served on its Board for 12 years and one term as President. He formerly was a member of the Hamilton Club, the Demuth Foundation Board; the Lancaster General Hospital Board and the Conestoga Chapter of American Business Clubs. Chas enjoyed all types of sports throughout his life. He was a catcher on several American Legion baseball teams during his teen age years and played football, basketball and baseball in high school. He learned to play golf and tennis at a very early age. Later in life he was a member of the Birdwatchers, a golf group that traveled to many of the nation’s better golf courses throughout the 16 years of its existence. Chas was one of four founding members of the Court Jesters, a local tennis group that has been together for 47 years. He began small game hunting at age 12 and always looked forward to small game season including pheasant, rabbits, doves and his favorite – ruffed grouse. He was a member of the Shirttail deer camp for all of its forty-nine years. Chas was a lifelong member of the First Reformed Church where he served as a deacon and chairman of the finance committee. While Chas was especially proud of his family and his children and grandchildren, he will best be remembered by his many friends and associates in Lancaster for his warm and engaging personality, his good nature and especially his pleasant look that was always highlighted by a smile and a twinkle in his eye. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the wonderful staff of Luther Acres who provided compassionate care to Chas. Funeral arrangements will take place Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Reformed Church, 40 East Orange Street, Lancaster. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Private family interment in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Charles’ name may be sent to First Reformed Church, 40 East Orange Street, Lancaster, PA 17602. Online condolences may be posted on our website: www.thegroffs.com.

Charles Hager Rohrer

October 7, 2015