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Verne Rockcastle Obituary
Verne Norton Rockcastle, 95, Cornell professor emeritus, was born on New Year's Day, 1920, and died on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015. Born in Rochester, NY, to Glenn Hubert and Grace Norton Rockcastle, he graduated from Syracuse University (BS), MIT (MS), and Cornell (PhD). In 1943 Verne married Madeline Thomas Rockcastle, then a stewardess with American Airlines, and joined the Cornell faculty in 1956. He maintained a Cornell office until 2011. As a professor of Science and Environmental Education, "Rocky" trained future public school teachers in the science behind such everyday events as cricket chirps, swinging pendulums, doorbell buzzers, and chalk squeaks. Rockcastle also conducted hands-on science workshops for elementary school teachers around the country. Rockcastle wrote the Cornell Science Leaflets, an elementary school nature and science program, for 15 years. He co-authored "Teaching Science with Everyday Things," and was the lead author of an elementary science textbook series used throughout the United States and French-speaking Canada. "Rocky" was a popular Cornell Adult University professor, leading summer field trips on natural history from Alaska and the Galapagos Islands to Arizona and the gorges of Ithaca. He continued to lead CAU trips and teach a course on "Our Physical Environment" for many years after retirement. He received the Eva Gordon Award for children's science writing from the American Nature Study Society, and was named Outstanding Science Educator and Robert H Carleton Award recipient by the National Science Teachers Association. "Rocky" loved the Adirondacks, and was an avid skier, fly fisherman, and canoeist. A founding member of the Finger Lakes Runners Club, he held two state-level Masters Track Team event medals. But his family knows he would most like to be remembered as an enthusiastic and creative teacher of future teachers. Verne is survived by Madeline, his wife of 71 years; daughters Lynn (Forrest) Thye of Blacksburg, VA, and Diane (John) Wiessinger of Ithaca, half-sister Lois Rockcastle, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Rockcastle Riter. A memorial service for Verne Rockcastle will be held at Kendal at Ithaca, 2230 North Triphammer Road, Ithaca, on Saturday, April 18, at 2:00. In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to the Adirondack Wild Center (wildcenter.org, 45 Museum Dr, Tupper Lake, NY 12986) or to the conservation charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Verne Rockcastle
April 2, 2025
What makes a good teacher? Dr. Rockcastle showed us in his every lesson-listening. You are the one who would listen after class, even when I needed guidance during my Ph.D. @ Chapel Hill. Thank you for the opportunity to be one of your students and a teacher. R. Toppin, Class of ‘79.
Reeda Toppin, Ph.D.
April 2, 2019
Dr. Rockcastle was my teacher, mentor/advisor. No one could ask for a better person. He created a learning environment for you to be able to question and reflect. Even while prepping for my doctoral questions, he made time to talk me down from the rafters, reminding me of how to many things I had to draw from, making sure to give me a mindful and meaningful tweek and a joke or two to get me to relax. Dr. Rockcastle is and will always be the epitome of what a good teacher is. For that, I am truly grateful & blessed to have had him as a teacher. Thank you for your help and gracious practice of educating.
John Serrao
April 2, 2019
As I think back on my association with Verne Rockcastle, I realize more and more how much he influenced me in different ways: as a Professor at Cornell, where I was a grad student from 1970 to 1972 and where his enthusiasm as a teacher inspired me; as a fellow distance runner, in which he excelled and instilled in me the fire to become a more serious competitor; as an environmental educator/naturalist, a career which we both loved and shared and in which I looked up to him as a Master; and finally his daughter Diane, who was my co-worker at my first job at the Museum of the Hudson Highlands and later, with her wonderful family, a co-leader at many of Mohonk Mountain House's Nature Weeks. I will always be thankful for Dr. Rockcastle's friendship and will always remember him as a big influence on my life.
John Serrao
April 20, 2015
Dear Diane & John: We were so sorry to hear about Dr. Rockcastle. He was such a big influence on me during my grad years at Cornell in Science & Environmental Ed. I'll never forget his passion for nature and his smile and twinkling eyes! It seems like only yesterday.
And after Cornell, when you (Diane) and I worked at our first jobs together at Museum of the Hudson Highlands, I got to know your Dad even better, both as a mentor and as a fellow runner. He ran times in his 50s that most runners in their 20s couldn't do! I'll never forget running the Berwick "Run for the Diamonds" with him, and then celebrating Thanksgiving with your family.
Please express Felicia's and my condolences to your Mom and Scott and Eric.
Love,
John & Felicia Serrao
April 14, 2015
Our deepest condolences to Madeline, Diane, and Lynn. My husband Steve and I were privileged to know Verne Rockcastle as a teacher, advisor, and mentor--and years later, as a colleague and friend. When Steve and I met, we discovered we had both shared the same advisor at different points in our respective pastsDoc Rock was my undergrad advisor and head of Steve's doctoral committee. As a transfer student to Cornell, I landed in Verne's class, and was captivated by the twinkle in his eye as he shared his enthusiastic love of science education with us, his fortunate students. I knew then that I was in the right class, the right major, the right college. He could find a science lesson in anything from the cause of a squeak to the rings in a wooden bat to the sun's reflection on the sidewalk. No doubt he is holding forth up above on some such subject--and no doubt that twinkle in his eye is still there!
Not many years ago, Verne graciously agreed to share his pearls of wisdom in articles for the magazine I was editing. Now I was making red marks on his papers! Along with this daunting task came the realization that life had come full circle. I'm so grateful that our circle included this unique and inspiring man.
-Elissa Wolfson
We called him Rocky which seemed fitting, as our home was ground zero in Stone Hall--and Our Physical Environment was our core course. Our first social gathering of grad students at the Rockcastle home was typical: You will recognize our house because of the huge Pinus strobus. Learning was always fun with Rocky. Two grouse come to mind--the first was a fresh road kill found on the way to a grad student retreat at the Rockcastle home on Tupper Lake. Together we discovered that it had eaten aspen buds--then we added the grouse to our dinner menu. A second grouse made the mistake of crashing through a Cayuga Heights home near the Rockcastles and, as the bird guy of the class, I was summoned to rescue it. Special moments.
-Stephen Kress
Cheryl and Gary Cooper
April 13, 2015
We are so sorry to hear of Verne's passing. He was such an inspiration to early education teachers because he made science concepts so user friendly. He will truly be missed by many Alaskan teachers.
We are keeping his family in our thoughts and prayers.
Valerie Finnerty
April 11, 2015
Verne Rockcastle is the reason that I am a science teacher. In fact, he is the reason that I am a teacher at all! I was fortunate to take "Our Physical Environment" with him in 1986, and I'll never forget how exciting and fun each class was. Every class was filled with activity: We threw pieces of wood off of a bridge and then timed their movement to figure out the flow rate of the gorge, we played with pendulums, and we calculated the volume and mass of snow. One time, he led our small class on a hike through the woods. I wasn't completely paying attention as I was probably talking to my friend, but I suddenly realized that Professor Rockcastle had disappeared. When I spotted him, he was way off in the woods, beckoning to us to come over, because he had spotted an unusual mushroom! I keep his book, "Teaching Science with Everyday Things" on my classroom shelf; he will always be my inspiration for striving to ensure that my middle school students not only learn science, but also love science. Thank you Rocky.
Susan Henne
April 11, 2015
Dr. Rockcastle had the unusual ability to inspire with his true enthusiasm for the subject. His dedication to elementary science teachers was profound and changed the way I approached teaching science. His legacy continues in the hearts and minds of the many children who have experienced his lessons in public school science classes. I am forever grateful for his contagious love of science.
Charlie Crangle
April 11, 2015
Verne was a roommate of my Dad's at Syracuse. A fact I was unaware of until some 50+ yrs later when Verne stayed at our home in Seward, AK while traveling with a former student who was a mutual friend. I'll never forget the glint in his eye informing me of our long ago connection. While, I only met him once- he had a larger than life presence. Another lion has passed.
April 10, 2015
Dear Madeline,
Marv and I are so sorry to hear of Verne's passing. I will always remember his enthusiasm for nature and all that was around us. Verne's CAU class motivated me to continue my studies. I can still see "Rocky" standing by Van Buskirk's Glen in Newfield with a rope in his hands helping us to climb down the gorge. It was an unforgettable experience. Rocky also introduced our family to camping. We had many enjoyable camping experiences due to Rocky's tutelage in buying camping equipment and setting it up. Again, we will not forget "Rocky".
Lynn Leopold
April 10, 2015
All my deepest sympathy to Madeline, Diane and Lynn for the loss of a remarkable man. Rocky was the chair of my graduate committee and supportive and compassionate all through my time at Cornell. He inspired us students to think in new ways, to question our traditionally-held beliefs about science, helped develop in us a better understanding of how the physical world works. Rocky approached everything he did with a sense of humor and a great sense of wonder. We are all richer for having been his students and friends.
Ellen Schmidt
April 10, 2015
I enjoyed visiting Verne at Kendal weekly for a couple of years, taping his memories and life stories, some contained in his book and others new or amplified versions. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know this kind and caring man who clearly gave much of himself to teaching young people and young teachers.
Meredith Thompson
April 9, 2015
Verne had incredible energy and a spark that could ignite a love of science in most anyone. I just know that he is telling the other angels in heaven about the science of clouds! Much love to Madeleine and his family. Verne will be missed!
Laura Audette
April 8, 2015
Wow 95! I knew Dr. Rockcastle was going to have an amazing run. Being a member of the Cornell Track Team in the mid 90's, my memory of Dr. Rockcastle will always be of him at the finish line with a warm smile and a hug no matter how well I ran. Fond memories Dr. Rockcastle, you are missed.
dave rogachefsky
April 8, 2015
Diane, my sincere condolences on the loss of your father. My mother knew him from their days in Ag Education and spoke only highly of him. May beautiful memories sustain you and your family always.
Rocky, Fischer, and Mech!
Jerry Freilich
April 8, 2015
Reeda Toppin
April 8, 2015
From Reeda Toppin, Ph.D. A teacher, mentor, and friend. A 'Reflective Practitioner' I am grateful to have had. RIP.
Terry Davis
April 8, 2015
Dear Lynn,
I was so sorry to read about your father's passing. What a treasured individual he was, who gave so much to so many.
You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time. All my best, Terry McKeegan Davis
Philip Ritson
April 8, 2015
Verne was a true friend. He will be missed.
Linda Will
April 8, 2015
Prayers of comfort and peace being sent from Colorado to all who knew and loved Verne.
Karl-Ludwig & Judith Konrad
April 8, 2015
Dear Lynn, Our heartfelt condolences. Please take comfort in Judi's memory of her dad, who still "walks with us" even though he went home about a decade ago. Karl & Judi
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