Benjamin Harold Rosker
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Benjamin Harold Rosker, an officer and a gentleman, passed away from leukemia at home in Charlotte, NC on February 24, 2020.
Ben was born in Massillon, Ohio in 1929 to Morris and Gussie Rosker. He was the youngest of four children and lost his father at age 13. His immigrant father's family business, Rosker Auto Parts, went on to support his immediate family and subsequent generations. Ben became the first in the family to attend college at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. There, he pledged the ZBT fraternity with a group of meshuggeneh pals who became life-long friends.
In 1952 he met his future wife, Jean on a blind date. They were perfect companions, lovingly protecting and caring for each other. She was delighted by his many jokes and pranks; they finished each other's sentences for nearly 57 years of marriage.
Ben completed law school at Western Reserve, received his Juris Doctorate degree in 1954, and became a Staff Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force. His assignments during his 26-year military career included Georgia, England, Washington, Hawaii, Florida, Virginia, South Korea, Ohio and California. Ben and Jean appreciated the nomadic life but not cold weather, and were grateful for never being assigned to Minot, North Dakota. Ben retired as the USAF's Chief Trial Attorney in 1978 after attaining the rank of Colonel.
After proudly passing the challenging California Bar Exam on his first try, he joined the office of the general counsel for the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, CA. He served 13 years at Caltech, retiring in 1991. After practicing law for 40 years, at age 62 he was ready for different experiences and challenges. Nevertheless, as a former high school state debate champion and career lawyer, he continued to enjoy a good argument. His wife Jean adoringly nicknamed him "The Velvet Harpoon," referring to his smooth but targeted power of persuasion.
Their retirement years were spent in La Quinta California. Jean was a successful impressionist artist and a very smart shopper while Ben enjoyed golf, swimming and photography. They were tireless travelers and loved to share their adventures, once torturing their children with 624 slides from a trip to China.
Sadly, 10 years ago Jean passed away. Ben resolutely continued life in La Quinta or, as he referred to it, "God's Waiting Room". In 2017 he accepted an invitation to live in Charlotte, NC with his daughter Linda and "favorite" (only) son-in-law Peter Hindel.
Anyone who knew Ben Rosker would say that he was defined by his wit and mischievous sense of humor. Recently, after one discouraging visit to his oncologist he remarked, "I didn't hear the word 'critical' so let's go have lunch." Family and friends often admired his deep integrity, kindness and sense of order.
He will live on through his friends and family and the countless stories, favorite jokes and wonderful memories he left for us to share.
Ben is survived by daughter Linda Beth Hindel (Dr. Peter Hindel); son Dr. Mark Jeffrey Rosker (Dr. Natalie Gluck); four grandchildren: Hannah and Leah Hindel, Eva and Julian Rosker; and sister Beatrice Pearlman. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Fannie Freedman and his brother Sam Rosker.
There will be a private family gathering at Mayfield Cemetery in Cleveland, OH on May 17, 2020. According to his wishes, his memory will then be honored over corned beef sandwiches at Cleveland's finest deli.