Harold A. Roser

YORK Harold Austin Roser, 93, died Monday, May 7, 2012, at his home with his wife and daughter by his side. He was the husband of the late Lee M. Roser, to whom he was married 30 years, and Phyllis J. Roser, to whom he was also married 30 years. Born October 27, 1918, in Glen Rock, he was the son of the late William Myers Roser and Arabella Beck (Lentz) Roser. He graduated in the top 10 percent of the l937 class of William Penn High School and attended Drexel University with a major in civil engineering. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1941 before Pearl Harbor. He was sent to Fort Knox, Ky., Armored Division Officers Training School. As a communications officer, he taught Morse code and was in charge of all radio communications for his battalion. Later, as a captain, he organized his battalion in their proper vehicles and as a result of their respect for him (and his organizational skills) they painted "Roser's Raiders" on the sides of their vehicles. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge and in the Ardennes Forest. He and his troops were the last to cross the Ramagan bridge before its destruction. He was particularly amused when stationed in the California desert he and his men were used as extras playing German soldiers in the filming of the movie "Sahara" starring Humphrey Bogart. He worked in the area as a carpenter/contractor and with his father built the York Airport and many homes in the Fayfield area. He built his own homes in his "spare" time. He was a humble, kind, graceful man willing to give his support to everyone when needed. His faith in God was always present in his thoughts, words, and deeds. He always felt the closeness of God, even in his military experiences. In addition to his wife, Phyllis, he is survived by a daughter, Cheryl Roser-Schedler and husband, Matthew of York; three stepdaughters, Debbie Shue and husband, Randy of Lancaster, Karen Weston and husband, Sam of Red Lion, and Sandy Gates and husband, Keith of Duncannon; a grandson, Matthew A. Schedler and wife, Cristina of New York City, N.Y.; eight stepgrandchildren, Jeffrey Shue, Amanda Amaroso, Nathan Weston, Melissa Weston, Jennifer Reside, Jason Lockey, Kristina Gates, and Jesse Gates; seven great-grandchildren; and a niece and two nephews, Carol Moreno of Phelan, Calif., Raymond Roser of Gillette, Wyo., and Ronald Roser of Tucson, Ariz. In addition to his first wife, Lee, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ethel V. Roser and Florence Ernst, and a brother, Raymond Roser. He was the center of our family and we will miss him terribly. Family and friends will gather at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012, at Mount Rose Cemetery, 1502 Mount Rose Ave., York, for a 2 p.m. graveside service. Officiating will be the Rev. Leon C. Via, chaplain for VNA Hospice of York. No flowers please. Memorial contributions can be made to the March of Dimes, 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 204, Harrisburg, PA 17110. The Etzweiler funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1111 E. Market St., York, is in charge of arrangements. www.etzweiler.com