Rudolph Rosswaag

Rudolph Werner Rosswaag, Jr., 92, died June 9, 2010, in Hellertown, PA. Rudy was born in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, to Rudolf and Helene (Schardong) Rosswaag. He immigrated to America in 1925, and served in the United States Army during World War II. Rudy (aka “Pop”) most recently resided in Hellertown & Riegelsville, PA, and formerly in Lambertville, NJ, where he turned a derelict farmhouse into a home and raised three children there in a magical setting between two brooks. He was self employed as a Textile Designer. During those 30+ years at ‘Dubrook’ on Rocktown Road, Rudy was active in the PTA, the Boy Scouts, the school board, the New Hope Art League, was a 4-H club leader, and served as West Amwell Township’s part-time welfare director. He was also an artist, whose majority of work included oil and acrylic paintings, though he also dabbled in stained glass, pottery and sculpture. Rudy was a member of Lambertville Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon, elder, and clerk of session and created unique decorations at Easter and Christmas time. Pop was known to family and friends as “Mr. Fix-it”, a gentle man who could accomplish anything he set his mind to do. He was an accomplished musician, serving as a substitute organist for 30 years at area churches. He graduated with honors from Trenton State College at the age of 54, with a B.S. in Industrial Arts, after attending night school for four years. After retirement, Pop rehabilitated six area “handyman special” houses as a hobby, a feat for which he was immensely proud. Rudy also volunteered five days a week for several years at Easton and Warren Hospitals. Rudy is survived by his wife of 64 years, Eleanor Ruth (Miller); two brothers, Otto and Ramon; a sister, Judith Franklin; his children: Karen (Jerry) Thomas of Virginia Beach, Peter (Joyce) of Upper Black Eddy, PA, and Wendy of Eatontown, NJ., two grand-daughters, Kimberly Jones and Cynthia Legg; and five great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Saucon Valley Senior Center, 323 Northampton St., Hellertown PA 18055, where Pop enjoyed lunches at the ‘meal site’ the last few years. Rudy willed his body to the Philadelphia College of Medicine. A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Sunday, June 27th at 2:00 PM at Mountainview Moravian Church at 331 Constitution Avenue in Hellertown. An informal reception will follow the service in the Dayspring room. The Falk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Hellertown is in charge of arrangements. To offer on-line condolences, please visit www.falkfuneralhomes.com.