Richard Robert "Dick" Rohrer

The nicest man passed away on Friday June 21, at St. Mary's Home.
Richard Robert Rohrer, 91, went home to God peacefully with family by his side.
He was born February 2, 1933, in Manitowoc to Clara (Buretta) and Alois Rohrer. He attended St. Boniface Catholic School and, with some stern tutelage from the nuns (so he says), stayed out of Prairie Du Chien Campion School for Boys. Upon graduation from Lincoln High School, where he enjoyed being a 4-sport letterman, he attended Ripon College on a football scholarship. His dad decided football was not an actual vocation and strongly suggested pharmacy was a "good career". He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison Pharmacy School in 1956. He married Kathleen Marie Lies on August 18, 1956, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Manitowoc.
Richard was enrolled in Army ROTC at the UW and after graduation and their wedding he was commissioned into the Army Medical Service Corp as a First Lieutenant. They were stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas.
After his time in the service, Dick and Kathleen and first child, Mary, moved back to Manitowoc, Son William and daughter Susan were born and the family of 5 was complete.
Richard and Kathleen took great pride in owning and operating Rohrer's Pharmacy on the corner of 20th and Marshall Street, for more than 20 years. The "Polish Hill" was a home with many family ties, neighborhood friends and fantastic employees who all enjoyed Richard's kindness and sense of humor. After selling the pharmacy he continued working at the Manitowoc County Health Care Center and other local pharmacies, finishing his career at the age of 79. He loved being a pharmacist and the people he worked with, and they loved him.
Richard was a lifelong member of the Manitowoc Catholic community serving as Parish Council President at Sacred Heart and School Board President at Roncalli High School. He quietly but faithfully served on the MARCO Services Board. A private rehabilitation center located in Manitowoc.
Kathleen passed away in 1996 after a battle with cancer. Richard was blessed to marry Diane (Kraft) Schwartz on July 5, 2001, and they have spent 23 years traveling the world and enjoying the company of their families and friends. Richard loved to play golf, bowl, and attend Packer games - especially if there was tailgating to be had.
He had a special relationship with his grandchildren. From very willingly getting endless packets of ketchup when out on special lunch dates, spending time with them rather than with the adults, to creating the "no complaining towel" to save weary parents on a vacation at Disney World, Richard's patience and genuine love for each of them was boundless. Grandpa Dick will be greatly missed by all of them.
He is survived by Diane his wife of 23 years, children and bonus children: Mary (Greg) Grams, William Rohrer, Susan (Steve) Kirking, Rivi (Jim) Hatt, Laurie (Dave) Herzog-Draeger, Robin (Kory) Brockman; grandchildren and bonus grandchildren: Steven (Stephanie) Grams, Christopher (Nicole) Grams, Elliot Rohrer, Wilson (Katrina) Rohrer-Keys, Karlee (Jake) Charlton, Kristen (Sam) Fazzari, Nicole (Mike) Green, Gina (Bernie) Klamecki, Lindsey (Mike) Meekma, Kate Herzog, Erik Herzog, Ellie Brockman, Megan Brockman and Delaney Brockman. Great grandchildren: Aurelia and Truman Grams, Dean Charlton, Nolan Meekma, and Colton Green.
He is preceded in death by his wife Kathleen, sister Audrey O'Neil, son-in-law, Brian Herzog, and parents Clara and Alois Rohrer.
A funeral service to celebrate Dick's life will be held on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Pfeffer Funeral Home, 928 S. 14th Street, with Rev. Richard Klingeisen officiating with entombment to follow at the Calvary Mausoleum. Relatives and friends may greet the family on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at the funeral home from 9:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
The family would like to extend their immense gratitude to Dr. Mark Herring and RN Ann Pearson. Without these two remarkable and caring people, all of us would not have been able to enjoy this wonderful man for as long as we did.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Kathleen Rohrer Memorial Scholarship Fund at Roncalli High School in Manitowoc.
The Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Pfeffer location, is assisting the family with arrangements.
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