Rolf R. Beer - 94 - Passed away peacefully on Thursday April 6, 2023 in his home in
Galloway, NJ, surrounded by his beloved family.
Rolf was born in
Jersey City, NJ, on March 26, 1929, son of Robert and Dora (Aiden) Beer. Shortly thereafter the family moved to
N. Arlington, NJ, and six years later moved to
Lyndhurst, NJ. One year later the family moved to
Nutley, NJ, where he attended Junior and Senior High School. In June 1946, Rolf joined the Navy, went to bootcamp at Great Lakes, Illinois, followed by Electronics school at Anacostia, DC, and served the balance of his enlistment aboard the USS Gilmore, a submarine tender, at
Key West, FL, as an Electronic Technician's Mate 3rd Class and then received an Honorable Discharge in July of 1948. He graduated from Purdue University in 1952 with a BSEE degree.
He returned home and was employed by International Telephone & Telegraph Co.,
Nutley, NJ, as a Plant Layout Engineer. During his employment, Rolf met his future wife, Viola Genevrino, and they were married in April, 1955. In September of that year they moved into an apartment in
Clifton, NJ, and he changed employment to the Okonite Company in
Paterson, NJ, as a Research Engineer. He progressed to Senior Research Engineer, followed by a shift to Supervisor of Manufacturing Engineering in 1960 for paper insulated cable. In 1965, he served in the capacity of Engineer of Cable tests for elastomeric insulated cables followed by a position as Product Engineer for high voltage extruded dielectric cables before moving to his last position as Cable Application Engineer. Rolf's work has been associated with the design and development of this country's first 345 kV pipe-type cable system in 1963 and also the development of ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) insulation for 69 kV and 138 kV cables. He contributed to the initial development of the new IEEE-383 flame test standards and procedures for generating station cable. He has written several IEEE papers on subjects pertaining to cable developments. Rolf was a member of the Power Apparatus and Systems and also with the Industrial Application Sections of IEEE and the New Jersey Society of Engineers. After 41 years of employment Rolf retired in 1966. In September, 2002, Rolf and Viola moved to the Four Seasons @ Smithville Retirement Village in
Galloway, NJ, where they lived and remained for 20 years before his passing.
Rolf is survived by his three children, Brian Beer of
Galloway, NJ, Karen Bevensee of Tucson, AZ, Susan Beer of Kehei, HI; grandchildren, Nicholas Beer, Alexander Beer, Noelle Beer, Laura Beer, and Brittany Bevensee.
Memorial Services will be Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 11:00 am -12:00 pm for a gathering and 12:00 - 1:00 pm for a short service at the Wimberg Funeral Home 211 E Great Creek Rd., Galloway 08205 (609-641-0001).
Services have been entrusted to Wimberg Funeral Home 211 E Great Creek Rd., Galloway 08205 (609-641-0001) for directions and condolences. Please visit wimbergfuneral.com
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