Roger F. Besecker

"> Roger F. Besecker
Roger F. Besecker, age 81, born on February 6, 1927 of Moravian Village, Bethlehem, formerly of Allentown and Canadensis, died Thursday morning, January 1, 2009, at the Hospice of V.N.A. of St. Lukes surrounded by his loving family. He was the devoted husband of Leona Fenner Walter-Besecker, to whom he was married for 23 full and loving years. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Roger and Gertude (Fauth) Besecker. He was a member of Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bethlehem. He graduated from Stroudsburg H.S. and attended Lehigh University before joining the Army Air Corps. He served in the Philippines during World War II. Roger worked for the F.A.A. as an air traffic controller in New York, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, before retiring in 1976. He was an avid aviation photographer and was a published author in aviation magazines. Anyone who knew him well was aware that his quick wit and unique sense of humor were as much a part of him as his good heart and great smile. Survivors: Daughters, Janice Onieal, wife of Denis, of Gettysburg; Cynthia OKeefe, wife of Jack, Allentown; Valerie Butz, Allentown; Donna Walter Szakal, wife of the late Jerome Szakal, of Bowie, Md.; sons, Thomas Walter, husband of Ranae of Salisbury Township and Richard Walter, husband of Joyce, of Mertztown; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren who loved their PopPop very much, as well as many friends, neighbors and loving relatives. He was predeceased by his son Gregory Besecker, and his first wife of 26 years, Marilyn Joan Witte Besecker. Services: 11 a.m. Monday January 5, 2009, Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2020 Worthington Ave., Bethlehem, with calling hour held from 10 a.m. until time of service. Interment in Rittersville Cemetery, Tacoma St., Allentown. Arrangements by Long Funeral Home. Online Condolences can be made at www.longfuneralhome.com. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Moravian Village Memorial Fund, 526 Wood St. Bethlehem, PA 18018, and/or the Hospice of the V.N.A. of St. Lukes, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200 Bethlehem, PA 18017, whose professional and compassionate nursing and medical staff provided exceptional care and support to both us and or beloved husband, father and PopPop.