Obituary of Ed Rocap

CEDAR GROVE - The long and fruitful life of Ed Rocap came to a quiet end on August 11, 2011 in Hillsborough, N.C., at Carillon Assisted Living, where Ed had been receiving special care since May 2010. Family and friends remember Ed for his sharp mind, his impassioned Bible teaching, his boundless generosity and his enthusiasm for life. He enjoyed good food and good music - especially opera and Mahler; he loved good books and good basketball games, especially the Duke variety! He derived huge satisfaction from maintaining a well moved, neatly trimmed yard. Ed Rocap was born on August 21, 1922, in Springfield, PA to read and Edna Rocap, flanked by older brother Read and younger sister Barbara. He was a 1940 graduate of Springfield High School, where he set a county scoring record in basketball. He received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, then joined the Army Air Force during WWII. After the war he returned to Duke receiving his law degree in 1948. He went home to study for the Bar Exam and work as an apprentice in the law firm of Butler, Beatty, Grear and Johnson in Media. In 1949 he was admitted to the Delaware County Bar. On April 22, 1950, Ed married Ann Elizabeth Hibberd of Media, PA. He served as an attorney in Media for the next 50 years, but the law took second place to a broader vision for the purpose of his life. He became an avid student of the Bible, never refusing an opportunity to teach. His understanding of mission was not just intellectual, but personal and practical. He and Ann were challenged by the ministry of International Students, Inc., a ministry of hospitality. They made friendships with students in the Philadelphia area from India, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Africa, and Asia. A monthly Christian fellowship of students from India continues to this day, having begun in their home. He played an active part in other Christian ministries and attended with his wife the first Presidential Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC, for President Eisenhower. He was asked to serve on a number of boards, including the Chinese for Christ Bible Institute, the Seshun Global Mission, International Christian Leadership and Christian Aid. One of his greatest joys was serving the Presbyterian Church, USA. He was ordained an Elder in the Media Presbyterian Church. His gift of servant leadership was recognized by the Philadelphia Presbytery where he chaired the Mission Committee and New Church Development and in 1994, served as Moderator of Philadelphia Presbytery. The many relationships that Ed and Ann cultivated with international students led to ministry focused trips to Africa, India, and other parts of Asia later in his life. This rich exposure to persons of diverse ethnic backgrounds also laid the foundation for the missionary careers of their daughter, Carol and her family. Long meticulously planned camping trips, as well as annual trips to "the cabin" in Lycoming County, PA, have left a rich depository of memories of Ed at his active best - hiking, birding, and driving miles just for the joy of an ice cream cone. Ed and Ann moved to Cedar Grove, N.C., in 2001 to be near their daughter, Mary. He is survived by Ann, his wife of 61 years; his daughter Mary, wife of Tom Prince, of Cedar Grove, NC, and their daughters Marielle and Christiana; his daughter Carol, wife of Skip Tobin, of Harrisonburg, VA, and their daughters, Hosanna, wife of Jacob Thomas, Bethany, wife of Stephen Horst, Dawn, Noelle, Melody, and Jessamyn; and his son Donald, husband of Julie, of Winnetka, IL, and their children Sarah, Katherine, and Patrick; and his three great grandchildren - Elias Thomas, Maia Thomas, and Anjali Horst. St. Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, described himself as "a servant of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God." It is a fitting description of Ed Rocap as well. There will be a funeral service on Monday, August 15, at 2:00 p.m. at Eno Presbyterian Church, 5409 Efland-Cedar Grove Rd., Cedar Grove. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to The Seshun Global Mission (9326 Ridings Way, Laurel, MD 20723) or Eno Presbyterian Church. The family wishes to express thanks for the compassionate care received from the staff of Carillon Assisted Living, Hillsborough and AMEDISYS Hospice Care.