George Thomas Ressler

George Thomas Ressler
George Thomas Ressler, 67, of New Tripoli, died Wednesday, September 8, at New Hanover Trauma Center in Wilmington, NC. He was on vacation with family and friends at Top Sail Island, NC when he became ill and was taken to the Trauma Center. George was born in Philadelphia, PA to Thomas G. Ressler and Adah Patterson Ressler Kelly, both of whom predeceased him. He lived most of his life in the Allentown area, and was a graduate of Allentown High School and Kutztown University. He served in the US Navy in the early 1960s and was a ships photographer on the USS Essex which was an active participant in the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his Naval service, George become a commercial photographer, but upon graduation from Kutztown University, became a special education teacher in Intermediate Unit 20 School District of Northampton County. There he taught gifted students as well as children with learning disabilities. He retired in 2002. Among his many activities were the Boy Scouts in which he took part while a photographer and continued into his retirement. At one time he was the scoutmaster for two troops, one in Bethlehem and one in Allentown. He served several summers as the camp director at Camp Trexler, Brodheadsville, and, at the time of his death was the treasurer of Boy Scout Troop 89 of New Tripoli. His troops were popular with the boys especially because he loved to take his troops camping and taught them the art of campfire cooking, including the baking of cakes. He also took his troops to historic sites such as Washington, DC and Gettysburg, PA. He was a certified rifle instructor and taught many Scouts how to handle rifles with proper attention to safety. Although he never married, George was a foster father to many boys, most of them placed by the childrens home in Topton, PA. He parented dozens of boys for more than 20 years, and eventually adopted six boys who have since grown into adulthood. There are many young men in the Lehigh Valley and elsewhere in the nation who owe him a debt of gratitude for his care, guidance, and efforts to change their lives for the better. Georges friends and family often referred to him as a gentlemen farmer for his love of farming. He particularly loved to grow tomatoes and would often make and can tomato juice which he supplied to friends and family. He kept at least a years supply for himself. At Thanksgiving, when he prepared a meal for family and friends, most of the food on the table, including the turkey, were things he had grown himself. Over the years he kept chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, sheep, pigs, and dogs-especially dogs. He loved German Shepherds and had four of them as house pets at the time of his death. Survivors: George is survived by his six sons, George T. Jr., of the home, Timothy R., of San Diego, CA, David T., of Allentown, David G., of Pittsburgh, PA, Adam T. and Kody T. of the home. Also surviving are three sisters, Mary Ann Roeder of Slatington, PA, Carolyn M. Goepfert, of Southampton, MA, and Elinor R. Aye, of Neffs, PA. George also had four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren, as well as 10 nieces and nephews; 18 grand-nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by family and friends. Services: Final arrangement details are pending. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to Boy Scout Troop 89 of New Tripoli, c/o Jason Grim, 6039 Powder Horn Court, New Tripoli, PA 18066.