Robert Given Rose II, 85, died on Monday, December 28, 2009 at Somerset House, Vero Beach, FL. He was born on June 2, 1924 to Ethel and Wesley J, Rose of Johnstown, PA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Wesley and his sister Elizabeth.
Bob graduated from Southmont High School, Johnstown, in 1942. He enlisted in the Army Air Force and became a B-24 bomber pilot in the 15th Air Force in Italy during World War II. He served as a Captain and lead pilot of his squadron, completed 50 missions, and was awarded numerous medals.
After the war, Bob attended Penn State University where he met his bride-to-be, Jeannie Weaver. They were married in his junior year on January 31st, 1948. He then acquired his law degree from Dickinson School of Law, graduating in 195 and serving on the Law Review staff while in attendance.
After law school, the Roses moved to Johnstown where Bob completed his internship, passed the bar exam, and started his practice in 1953. For the majority of his career, he practiced with the firm of Spence, Custer, Saylor, Wolfe, and Rose as a trial lawyer. His achievements in his profession resulted in his election to the American College of Trial Lawyers. After more than 50 very successful years as a practicing attorney, he retired from the firm in 2004.
Bob was exceedingly active in the Johnstown community and did much to promote its progress. Among his civic leadership positions; he was (twice) President of the First Lutheran Church Council; was President of Camp Sequanota; served on the board of the Allegheny Lutheran Home; was President of the Cambria County Library (presiding over the construction of the new library building); was President of Sunnehanna Country Club (where he negotiated the purchase of the club by the membership from Bethlehem Steele; was President of the Cambria County Bar Association; and was President (for 12 of his 40 years of service) of the Board of Conemaugh Valley Memorial Hospital (where the Rose Pavilion was named in his honor). He was a member of the Sunnehanna Country Club as well as Johns Island Club for 5 and 4 decades respectively.
Among his interests were travel (he and Jeannie enjoyed many exciting trips to Europe, Asia, Africa plus a trip around the world), fly fishing, hunting, golf, gardening, and his beloved Lost Cabin in Potter County, PA. Penn State football was a numero uno to this devoted alum.
He is survived by his wife Jeannie, son Robert G. Rose, III (wife Juanita) of Roswell, GA and son Richard D. Rose (wife Susan) of Pittsburgh. He was also the grandfather of 4 beloved grandchildren, grandsons James and Robert Rose of Pittsburgh, and granddaughters Rachel and Raleigh Rose of Roswell, GA.
A visitation will be held at Henderson Funeral Home, 215 Central Avenue, Johnstown on January 4, 2010 from 6-8 PM and January 5, 2010 from 10-11 AM, with a service held at the same location at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Conemaugh Health Foundation, 1086 Franklin Street, Johnstown, PA 15905 or Somerset House, 1540 Oak Harbor Blvd., Vero Beach, FL 32967.
Local arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home and Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida.