Karl W. Roscher's Obituary
On December 19, 2015, Karl W. “Dutch” Roscher passed away peacefully from complications due to Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alice (DeSantis) Roscher, their children, Karla McCarty, Karl R. Roscher, Edie Cratty, and their spouses, Thom, Robin, and Kevin; one grandson, Jack Cratty, all of Annapolis, Md.; and many cherished friends.
Dutch, son of the late Anna Rumph and Karl A. Roscher, was born in Washington, D.C., on May 5, 1929. He lived on Marietta Place until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March 1951 and was stationed at Radford, Va. He proudly served as a Special Assistant to the Base Captain, taking charge of daily maintenance obligations. Having left high school early, he completed his GED while serving his country.
Upon his discharge from active duty in March 1953, he returned to Washington and worked briefly with his lifelong friends, Bud and Bob Phillips in the Auto Body business. He also worked for the late Al Hurley, where he became skilled in the fields of Heating and Air Conditioning and sheet metal fabrication.
In 1955, he began his career with the federal government, working for the National Park Service in its Washington, D.C. Carpenter Shop. He was involved in many maintenance projects throughout the city, including several within the White House, where he was recognized by President Lyndon Johnson for his outstanding craftsmanship.
In 1970, he became the Director of Maintenance (North) for the Washington, D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, where he was responsible for the oversight of the city’s playgrounds, Recreation Centers and swimming pools. He was awarded a White House Certificate of Appreciation by First Lady, Pat Nixon, for his efforts on behalf of the city’s youth.
In 1977, Dutch, an accomplished Sheet Metal Mechanic, began working for the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He was part of Work Center 02, until his retirement in May 1984. He loved the Academy and his co-workers, often referring to his tenure there as, “a dream come true.”
Upon his federal “retirement”, he continued to use his many talents in roofing, home repair, sheet metal work and heating and air conditioning. He worked as a property manager for the late Seymour Janow, part-time for Artic Heating and Cooling and Don Redman Construction. He enjoyed helping others, especially senior citizens. He volunteered for Christmas in April, Partners in Care, and was always willing to share his skills with those in need.
Dutch was a kind and gentle man. He and Alice were married in Annapolis on July 4, 1959 and purchased their home on Crab Creek, where they raised their family and spent time with friends. He enjoyed all things Crab Creek, family, friends, parties, card games, boating on the “Bobby Joe”, crabbing, a good meal, and spending time with his beloved pets. He loved grocery shopping, car rides, movies, vacations, and was always ready and willing to run errands for anyone in need.
A visitation will be held Monday, December 28, 2015 between the hours of 6 and 8pm at Lasting Tributes Cremation and Funeral Care, 814 Bestgate Road, Annapolis, MD 210401. A service will be held on, Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 11:00am at Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County, 1815 Bay Ridge Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21403.
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