Jack Arnold Royer

Jack Arnold Royer, Arlington, Va., passed away at The View in Alexandria, Va., on Sept. 9, 2024 at the age of 83.

He was born in Rochester, on June 20, 1941, to Vern Fletcher Royer and Erda Enone (Robinson) Royer. Jack grew up in Akron, and attended Akron Public Schools before graduating from Purdue University in 1965.

He then spent the next two years in the U.S. Army. After infantry training in South Carolina, he volunteered for The Old Guard, the ceremonial unit based at Fort Myer in Arlington, Va.

After completing his military service, he joined the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). At USAID, he worked on programs mostly in Africa and Latin America, and his last assignment was in Swaziland, from which he retired in 1996. Following his retirement, he worked with a friend he had served with in Swaziland to establish Arlington Learning in Retirement Institute, later renamed Encore Learning, a volunteer-run organization for lifelong learning. He served in various capacities at Encore Learning, including 12 years as vice president, and teaching several Civil War classes. He remained involved in the organization until health problems prevented his active participation.

Jack is survived by a sister, Sharon Williams, Greentown; two nephews, Christopher Williams, West Lafayette, and Michael D. Williams (wife Laura) Kokomo; and Michael and Laura's daughter, Cassandra.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Linda Royer.

In memory of Jack, donations may be made to Encore Learning, a charitable organization, at www. encorelearning.net or directly to https.//encorelearning.net/about/donate.