Roscoe DuBois Draper

Obituary
A Life Well Lived
Roscoe DuBois Draper was born May 14, 1919, in Haverford, PA, the 4th of 9 children of the late Edgar and Ethel Draper. His mother passed away in 1928 and Roscoe and siblings were raised by loving aunts Sarah Franklin and Grace Hall in Bryn Mawr and Haverford, PA. Their infant brother Francis Draper was raised by Mary Travers (Aunt Belle) in Havre de Grace, MD.
Roscoe was educated in Bryn Mawr and Haverford Public Schools and began his Christian education in the Bryn Mawr Bethel AME church in the early 1920s. Draper graduated with honors from Haverford High School in 1937. He then enrolled in Hampton Institute, now University, in VA to an auto mechanic work study program. In 1939 he entered the Hampton civil pilot training program and in 1940 he became a certified private pilot.
In Tuskegee, AL Draper received additional aviation training by Charles Alfred Anderson, of Bryn Mawr, PA, earning his certification as a commercial pilot with Instructor rating in 1942. He served as a Primary Phase flight instructor who taught the US Army Air Corps cadets to fly in Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama. He was also one of two men selected for the secondary course at the Tuskegee Institute (later Tuskegee University) and completed his civilian pilot training in 1942. He was one of the first ten Black men selected to serve as flight instructor for the Army Air Corps "Tuskegee Experiment." Draper was nicknamed "Coach" by his students because it described his teaching style. "Chief" Charles Alfred Anderson and "Coach" trained military and civilian pilots, notably the famed Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the Red Tails of World War II, who went on to compile their own impressive list of accomplishments.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the subject of numerous publications and feature films including the 2012 film "Red Tails." Coach Draper and other Tuskegee Airmen attended a red carpet event with the cast in New York City. In 2011 the City of Philadelphia's 3000th mural entitled "Tuskegee Airmen: Great American Heroes" was unveiled in Center City where it still stands today.
Coach loved flying and instructing. He served on the academic board for the Tuskegee Institute and was honorably discharged in November 1945. While in Tuskegee, Roscoe met Mary Malone, and the couple married at her home in Lawrenceville, VA in 1944. Upon returning to Pennsylvania, he was employed in the 30th St Philadelphia, PA Post Office for 23 years, before returning to his Aviation career with the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA), later the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), until retirement in 1983. Draper never stopped learning. During his employment in the FAA Draper became a certified helicopter instructor at age 60.
Roscoe was a valued member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church and served diligently on the Trustee Board and as treasurer of the Lay Organization. Roscoe and Mary raised their children in Bethel Bryn Mawr and centered their lives on the importance of faith, family, and community.
Roscoe lived out his values of civic engagement. He was active in many community groups including Mason W. Bell Lodge; Civil Air Patrol; Cub Scouts; Tuskegee Airmen Philadelphia Chapter; Black Pilots of America Roscoe Draper Chapter; NAACP Main Line Branch. Throughout his life he enjoyed serving as a guest speaker to school age students to share his experiences in aviation. Draper was an avid reader into his early 100s and particularly enjoyed reading about Black history and aviation. As a living member of the Tuskegee Airmen, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.
Known among his family for doing "Daddy jobs" Roscoe built an addition on the family home in Haverford and was an exceptionally skilled handyman. Throughout their childhood, he loved to quiz his kids at the dinner table and stump them with Math problems. Roscoe also enjoyed learning things on the computer and kept in touch with family and friends via email into his late 90s. He taught countless family members and friends how to drive. He kept sharp with brain teasers of all types. Roscoe was famous for his intellect, charm, quick wit and one-liners. He loved sharing or hearing a good joke and had a joyous and hearty laugh.
In 2014, Roscoe relocated to live in the loving care of Norma and David Crocker in Westwood, NJ. Throughout his life and his later years, he loved Gospel and jazz music. WBGO played throughout the day as he tapped his foot and hummed along. Roscoe received his Congressional medal in July 2019 which was presented to him in his Westwood home. In 2022 the Borough of Westwood and the Black Pilots of America Roscoe Draper Chapter celebrated Draper's 103rd birthday in Westwood, NJ. They held a parade including Black aviators and local law enforcement and servicemen which included a mayoral proclamation and ended in the front of the Crocker home.
Roscoe leaves a legacy of the importance of faith, service, learning and leadership and he passes these on to all aviators he instructed and to his family and friends. He died peacefully in his sleep at home in Westwood on October 31, 2024. He is preceded in death by his siblings Earl Draper, Cora Draper, Percy Draper, Marie Pierce, Barbara Newton, William Draper, Warren Draper, and Francis Draper. He reunites with his wife of 66 years Mary M. Draper, the love of his life who preceded him in death in 2010. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were the pride of his life. He leaves to cherish his memory his three children: Norma Crocker (David), David Draper, and Charlotte Wolfolk (Kevin); 7 grandchildren: Jason Crocker, Adam Crocker (Kori), and Dara Gronau (Robert); Jasmine Wolfolk, Wesley Wolfolk (Tatiana), Myles Wolfolk (Kyra), and Maya Wolfolk; 8 great grandchildren: Nia Howell (Aaron), Hannah Gronau, Lucas Gronau, Jacob Gronau, Lily Crocker, Shawn Wolfolk, Cairo Wolfolk and Carmelo Wolfolk and a host of nieces & nephews, great nieces & nephews, great great nieces & nephews, cousins and a multitude of cherished friends.
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