Roy C. Rom

Roy C. Rom, affectionately known by his family and many others as "Ace," passed away peacefully at 102 years on Saturday, June 15, 2024, surrounded by his four children: Cristine Rom, Gretchen Stark, Curt Rom, and Mark Rom.
Roy was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Roy George Rom and Emmie Glaettli Rom and grew up there with his three sisters, Betty, Rita, and Carol. Roy was an adventurous child enjoying time at their Pewaukee Lake house. He credits the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle, as a major impact in his life, giving him durable skills and creating a love of the outdoors.
He attended the University of Wisconsin pursuing a degree in horticulture. The Second World War interrupted his academic career when he became a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot instructor and was honorably discharged as a Second Lieutenant at the war's end, after which he returned to college to finish his degree.
While in college he became the coxswain for the University of Wisconsin championship lightweight crew and, upon graduation, was coach for the Wisconsin 1946 national championship lightweight crew. He went on to coach crew at Yale where he led the 1950 Yale lightweight crew to a national championship. One of his many points of pride was helping form and coaching the Northwest Arkansas Rowing Club.
After college graduation he met the love of his life, Margaret (Meg). After marrying and briefly living in New Haven, they returned to Wisconsin and started a family. Intellectual curiosity led him back to the University of Wisconsin to complete a Ph.D. in fruit crop production physiology, working with Dr. Malcolm "Mac" Dana, graduating in 1959. He immediately accepted a position at the University of Arkansas where he rose through the ranks and was granted the distinguished honorific title of "University Professor" for his contributions to the university and to his academic discipline. His research specialty was apple and peach rootstocks and cultivar development. He helped re-establish the Arkansas State Horticulture Society, serving as executive secretary for two decades. He was recognized for his research accomplishments: as a Fellow of the American Society for Horticultural Science, with the prestigious Wilder Medal from the American Pomological Society, and the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association Outstanding Researcher award. He was recognized as "Mr. Peach" by the National Peach Council.
Roy started the Rom Family Orchard in 1967, selling apples at the farm, to local stores, and at the Fayetteville Farmers Market. He took immense pride in providing quality, locally grown apples for the community and especially enjoyed giving orchard tours to hundreds of school-aged children and sharing his love of apples, nature, and the outdoors. He was "Mr. Apple."
Roy loved the outdoors, camping and hiking with his family, canoeing, the orchard, and gardening. He was an avid hobby photographer and enjoyed traveling, especially visiting Europe with Meg. He had fellowships to work and study in Poland, France, and Tunisia. He was active with the University Foreign Student Association, serving as Secretary-Treasurer, hosting foreign students for picnics at the Rom Orchard, and serving as a Fulbright Fellowship and Rotary Fellowship host family. He was an avid reader of history and science.
Roy had a rich volunteer life. He was an active Rotarian, the club historian, multiple Paul Harris Fellow recipient, and promoter of the club scholarship program. He served as a docent at the University Museum where he loved working with school children. He received the Distinguished Citizen award from the Washington County Historical Society. Roy and Meg were instrumental in founding Good Shepherd Lutheran Church where he served in numerous capacities including Sunday School teacher, and council member, and church president. As a former collegiate coach, Roy loved college athletics and would watch any sporting event where the Razorbacks competed.
Roy adored his family who brought him pride and great happiness. Roy is survived by his four children and their spouses: Cristine (Alan Rocke), Gretchen (Richard Stark), Curt (Melissa Harwood-Rom), and Mark (Ayse Orellana); five grandchildren: Lizzie Stark (George Locke), Zoë Rom, Clio Rom, Christopher Rom; and one great grandchild Roscoe Locke. Roy was preceded in death by wife Meg, his sisters, and grandson Nathan Kittredge Rom.
A memorial gathering and reception of family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 18, 5:00 until 7:00pm at the Botanic Garden of the Ozarks. A memorial service will be held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Fayetteville on Friday July 19, beginning at 10:30am.
Memorials and gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to the Nathan Kitt Rom Memorial Study Abroad Scholarship or the Roy and Margaret Rom Endowed Award, mailed to the Gift Administration, University of Arkansas, 481 S. Shiloh Drive, Fayetteville, AR 72704, or the Rotary Roy Rom Scholarship fund of the Fayetteville Rotary Club, P.O Box 1683, Fayetteville, AR 72702.
The family extends thanks to Bungalows assisted living staff for his care during the past 6 years and to the caring and compassionate staff of the Washington Regional Medical Center Willard Walker Hospice Home providing care for the past year.
To sign the online guest book please visit www.bernafuneralhomes.com