Paul H Rofkar

PAUL H. ROFKAR, age 97, of Catawba Island. Youngest son of Henry Rofkar Jr. and Sophie Tadson Rofkar, Paul grew up on the family farm on the East Catawba Road, was a 1931 graduate of PCHS, and graduated in 1938 from The Ohio State University with a degree in Engineering and an Army ROTC commission. Following college Paul was employed in engineering positions with Ford Motor in Detroit. After service in World War II he joined Massey Ferguson to design farm equipment, while commuting back to Catawba nearly every weekend to help operate the family peach orchard. Paul was called to active duty as an artillery officer in 1941, and participated in the large-scale pre-war maneuvers in Louisiana. After war was declared, he served as an artillery training officer within the United States, before being sent to the Southwest Pacific in the fall of 1943. In two years Paul earned six battle stars and a Purple Heart, seeing combat on Guadalcanal, Saipan, New Guinea, and in four separate combat landings in the Philippines. He finished the war with the rank of Captain. Paul also served his local community, as a two-term Catawba Island Township Trustee, a member of the Ottawa County Veterans Service Commission, and an occasional speaker on Memorial Day or other occasions honoring veterans. Visitation with friends and family will be held at 12 noon on Monday June 28, 2010 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 2370 NE Catawba Road on Catawba, with a service following at 1:00 p.m. at the Church. Interment to follow at Catawba Island Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please consider a gift in Paul's memory to Resurrection Lutheran Church, the Ottawa County Community Foundation, or the Development Fund of OSU designated to the Agricultural Engineering Department scholarship fund started by Paul during his lifetime. The Neidecker, LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home, Port Clinton, has been entrusted with his arrangements. Funeral Home: Neidecker-LeVeck & Crosser Funeral Home - Port Clinton Chapel 1124 Fulton Street Port Clinton, OH US 43452