Obituary of Rowland Brooke Porch

Rowland Brooke Porch died on March 5, 2008. Rowland was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was born on his brother's 2nd birthday in his parents' home in Pitman, NJ on September 23, 1914. He graduated Valedictorian from Pitman High School in 1932, Magna Cum Laude from Dickinson College in 1936 where he was a member and President of Phi Delta Theta. In 1940 he graduated from Temple Law School. During WWII, he served in the US Army from 1943-1946 in the Pacific Theatre. He practiced law in Pitman for over 50 years. He served as a member of the Pitman Board of Education, President of that Board and later as its solicitor. He was on the Church Council of the Pitman United Methodist Church for many years, taught Sunday school and was a member and Past President of the Pitman Rotary. He served as assistant prosecutor in Gloucester County, a member and Past President of the Gloucester County Bar Assn, Borough of Pitman Solicitor, Board of YMCA Camp Ocanickon, founding member and President of the Board of Education for the Gloucester County Vocational School. He was an excellent bridge player and knew every road and the location of every Methodist Church in South Jersey. He and his wife moved to Ocean City in 1987 yet continued to be proud of his Pitman roots and was happiest when surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife of 64 years Rae-Louise Porch, daughters Kathryn Torpey (Michael) of Pitman, Priscilla Elizabeth Porch of Rosemont, son Rowland Brooke Porch, Jr. (Linda) of Swarthmore, 6 grandchildren Christopher Brier, Elizabeth Torpey Sirven, Rebecca Porch, Mary Fran Torpey, R. Brooke Porch III, Janie Porch, and 3 great grandchildren Marie, Gabriel and Benjamin Sirven. Friends may call after 10am Saturday, March 15 in the Pitman United Methodist Church, Lambs Rd. and Broadway, Pitman, NJ. Funeral service 11am. Interment Hillcrest Memorial Park. Those desiring may make a contribution to UMCOR, c/o St. Peter's Methodist Church, PO Box 762, Ocean City, NJ 08226 or to the Pitman United Methodist Church, PO Box 7, Pitman, NJ 08071.