11/10/2014
Roger Lee Risser, 82, formerly of Leola, entered heaven at Calvary Fellowship Homes, Lancaster, Pa., on November 10, 2014, following a long illness. He was the son of the late Harold W. and Violet I. (Wolfe) Risser, Sr. and the dear husband of Loretta R. (Hostetter) Risser for 57 Years.
Also surviving are children: Judith M. Risser and husband Dr. Gary Brosvic of Clayton, NJ, James E. and Dr. Nicole (Dombrowski) Risser of Towson, MD, Steven D. Risser of Lancaster, Sharon L. Risser and husband Peter C. Frederick, of Lancaster, and “extra” daughter Dute and husband Sean Cheng of Leola; ten grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; eight step-great grandchildren. Also surviving are siblings Harold W. and Ruth Ann Risser, Jr., and Florence (Risser) and Donald H. Umberger of South Annville Twp.
Roger was a graduate of Lebanon High School and Pennsylvania State College with a degree in Agricultural Engineering and a 2nd Lt. commission in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for the U.S. Conservation Service in Mansfield, Pa, for six months until induction into active duty, where he completed jet pilot training. Following discharge from active duty, he was employed as a design engineer by Papec Machine Co., Shortsville, NY, for five years, then returned to PA, designing drag parachutes for bombers at Olmsted AFB until its closing, whereupon he became a design and field test engineer with Sperry New Holland, now CNH, until his retirement.
Roger entered the PA Air National Guard after returning to PA, and served as a pilot with the Military Air Transport System based at Olmsted State Airport during the Viet Nam War, attaining a rank of Major before returning to the Inactive Reserves in 1974.
A member of Leola United Methodist Church in his last years where he was an active participant until unable to be so, he was formerly a member of Grace UCC, Eden, where he was a deacon and served as chair of the Property Committee, and member and President of Church Council. He was active in his community, coaching Beginner’s Baseball, helping to form the CV Football Booster Club, and serving as its president. He gave thousands of volunteer hours to Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity from its beginning and was a regular weekly construction site volunteer in his retirement years until health problems prevented his doing so. He also served on the election board of Upper Leacock Twp.
Roger was a member of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers and was a licensed Professional Engineer. Though inactive for decades, he was a Mason, 60-year member of Mt. Lebanon Lodge No 226 of Lebanon,PA; 50-year member of Excelsior Chapter No 164, Shortsville, NY; Sagoyewatha Commandery NO.17, Phelps, NY; and Palmyra Council No. 26, C.M., Palmyra, NY.
The funeral service will be on Friday, November 14, 2014 at 11 AM at Leola United Methodist Church, 7 W. Main Street, Leola, PA 17540. Interment in Trumbauer Memorial Cemetery, Leola. Friends may call on Thursday, November 13, 2014 from 7-9 PM at Furman Home for Funerals, 59 W. Main Street, Leola, PA and also one hour before the funeral at the church.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Lancaster Area Habitat for Humanity, 443 Fairview Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 or Leola United Methodist Church.