William T. (“Bill”) Rohrbach, 92, of Boyertown, PA, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at Lehigh Valley Hospital. He was the widower of Phyllis E. (Stark) Rohrbach, with whom he shared sixty-one wonderful years of marriage. Bill was born in East Greenville, PA to the late William Rohrbach and Lottie E. (Moyer) Rohrbach.
Bill entered the Lutheran Orphans’ Home in Topton, PA at age 4 after the premature death of his mother. Life at the orphanage was difficult but he learned the importance of religion, prayer, and hard work. In 1950, at age 16, he left the orphanage as a foster child to work for a local veterinarian. Bill graduated from Womelsdorf High School in 1952 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, spending a great deal of time working at a hospital in Frankfurt, Germany. After leaving the Army he attended Muhlenberg College, Kutztown State Teachers College and finally graduated from East Stroudsburg College in 1961 with a B.S. in Science Education. Bill taught physics at Phoenixville High School for 6 months and then began teaching biology, physics and finally chemistry at Boyertown Area Sr. High School, where he taught for 32 years, retiring in 1993.
Upon retiring, Bill and Phyllis took many trips across the country. He loved to tell the story about a trip to Georgia where they unexpectedly met former president Jimmy Carter and his wife, shared a meal with them, and went to their church service. Each summer Bill loved taking his family to Ocean City, New Jersey, where he enjoyed going deep sea fishing. Each spring he looked forward to traveling to Clearwater, Florida to attend Phillies spring training games. Bill and Phyllis were avid Phillies fans and he loved recalling their 50th wedding anniversary Phillies cruise when they had a cabin next to Shane Victorino!
Bill was active in coaching youth sports – Babe Ruth community baseball, intra-mural junior high football, and lots of basketball. He was a Biddy League basketball coach, head coach of the J.V. basketball team at Boyertown Jr. High West and then J.V. coach and assistant varsity coach of the Boyertown Sr. High boys’ basketball team. A special year was 1976-77 when the high school team went to the PA state finals.
Bill loved serving and caring for others. He delivered Meals on Wheels for the Boyertown Multi Service for over 15 years and was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church where over the years he served as an usher, on the landscaping committee and on church council. He also enjoyed working in the church kitchen preparing meals for the Come to the Table program.
He was kind, patient and humble. To love him and to be loved by him was such a blessing. He was a true man of God, the rock of our family, and is now at peace and reunited with Phyllis, the absolute love of his life. His resiliency, courage and determination after a difficult early life experience amazed all who knew him! A loving husband, devoted father, compassionate grandfather and great-grandfather, dedicated teacher, and loyal friend. He will be missed every single day and is in our hearts always. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” – Matthew 25:21
Bill was predeceased by sisters Patricia E. Rohrbach and Shirley F. (Rohrbach) Hamm. He is survived by his daughter, Michele E. Frey (widow of Donald R. Frey, Jr.), and his sons, Mark W. Rohrbach and Michael J. Rohrbach, all of Boyertown, grandchildren Lauren E. Jones (wife of Justin E. Jones), Nicholas Frey, Benjamin and Brianna Rohrbach, Alana Rohrbach, Moiria Rohrbach, Sofia Bananto, great-granddaughter, Lainey E. Jones, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 45 North Reading Avenue, Boyertown, PA 19512. A Memorial Service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow in the church Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Boyertown Area Multi Service (The Center at Spring Street), 200 Spring St., Boyertown, PA 19512, or St. John’s Lutheran Church at the above address.