Stanley Rohrer Obituary

In Loving Memory of Stanley Rohrer

1930–2025

Stanley Rohrer lived 95 extraordinary years, defined by curiosity, courage, and a steadfast belief that anything is possible. Raised in the close-knit town of Wakarusa, Indiana, Stan grew up with strong roots-his parents were both educators, and he and his younger brothers, Bryce and Steve, were known by every shopkeeper in town. Even the spelling of "Rohrer" was a point of pride locally.

After graduating from Purdue University, Stan shed his shy beginnings and rose to become Drill Team Commander for the Air Force ROTC. He majored in mathematics and cultivated a lifelong passion for amateur radio under his distinctive call sign, W9FQN. In 1954, Stan was assigned to the communications division in Korea where he honorably served his country for two years. Upon returning, he began teaching physics at Elkhart High School and later earned a Master's degree from Notre Dame. His summers were filled with continued study at the Cleveland Institute of Technology and UC Berkeley.

A pivotal chapter began in 1965 when Stan took his first vacation-a solo road trip to Mexico City in a convertible. That summer kindled a deep interest in Mexican culture and history, and led to a life-altering meeting on the tennis courts of Guadalajara with Barbara, an elementary Spanish teacher from California. Stan wrote her daily love letters until they married in 1969. Their journey together began in Indiana and soon moved to a budding avocado ranch in Valley Center, California.

Stan taught math in the Vista Unified School District while helping cultivate the avocado ranch. After the birth of daughters Susan and Linda, Stan shifted fully to farming. The ranch flourished, expanding to 56 acres at its peak, as Stan threw himself into the physical and mental demands of agriculture. He irrigated, fertilized, repaired piping, and hauled bins with quiet intensity and love for the outdoors.

He also poured his energy into the Palomar Amateur Radio Club, where he served as president for 11 years and played a major role in growing the club to more than 800 members. He hosted emergency broadcast field days on his property and hoisted antennas on Palomar Mountain, fostering connection across communities.

When water prices forced the grove's closure, Stan found new passion in the Anza-Borrego Desert, where he discovered a cave with Native pictographs. His explorations led to meticulous pictograph research, wooden kayak building, and adventures down the Colorado River. Stan's determination never waned-he hiked Machu Picchu at age 79 with Barbara to celebrate 40 years of marriage.

At 80, Stan lost his first leg to an aneurysm. Four years later, he lost the second. Yet he met each challenge with grit and determination. He adapted with prosthetics, then a wheelchair, and still lived fully-kayaking, playing wheelchair tennis, mastering Excel spreadsheets, quilting pictograph designs, even trimming hedges and navigating stairs himself ("on my butt," he'd say with a smile). He learned to ride a hand-propelled tricycle and proudly passed his driver's exam at age 90, buying a new pickup in celebration.

Stan and Barbara's marriage spanned more than five decades filled with travel, tennis, shared values, and spirited adventures. Together they explored Japan, Korea, Peru, Ecuador, Spain, New York, the Dominican Republic, and more.

At 90, Stan celebrated his life of bold decisions with a flying leap-skydiving with his daughter. He was the embodiment of determination: tenacious, thoughtful, brave, and endlessly inventive.

To anyone who ever said, "I can't," Stan had a simple reply: "I can do anything... it just takes me longer."

Stan Rohrer leaves behind a legacy of tenacity, wonder, and boundless heart. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

The funeral will be Saturday August 2, 2025 in Escondido, California. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests donations to PBS-a cause Stan deeply admired and supported. Honoring his memory this way would surely bring him joy.

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