John Archibald Rockwell, former councilman
John Archibald Rockwell, 97, a retired hospital administrator, died peacefully Saturday, May 28, 2011, at his home in Fenwick Island.
“Jack,” as he was affectionately known to his family and friends, was the son of the late Dr. Clarence S. Rockwell, a veterinarian, and the late Gertrude P. Rockwell of Lancaster, Pa. He was born Dec. 1, 1914, in Philadelphia, Pa. and was a graduate of West Philadelphia High School, where he was a member of Pi Sigma Delta Fraternity and served as the manager of the school’s baseball team.
Subsequently, he worked at the American Stores Company in Philadelphia and in 1933 he matriculated at West Chester State Teachers College, now West Chester University. A lifelong loyal alumnus of the “Golden Rams” he majored in physical education, served as the manager of West Chester’s basketball team and played goalie for their soccer team which was co-national champion his senior year.
Following graduation, Mr. Rockwell worked for the city of Philadelphia and, until the late forties as the personnel manager for Midvale Steel Company. While there he supervised the hiring of over 5,000 people who focused on building gunnery in support of the war effort.
Married in 1940 to a classmate at West Chester, he moved his family to Salem, N.J. in 1948. There, he headed personnel relations for H.J. Heinz Company’s operations in that area. In 1955, he moved to Wilmington, where he took an executive position with Memorial Hospital. He retired in 1982 as director of the Eugene DuPont Convalescent Hospital.
Mr. Rockwell traveled extensively, around the world. His son, John R. (Rick) Rockwell, of Owings Mills, Md., said his father was particularly proud of the many photo albums he compiled of his trips to 92 countries and all 50 states. The last of his 26 overseas adventures in 1996 involved a trip to Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and South Yemen.
He maintained his primary home in Wilmington until 2003, at which time he moved to Fenwick Island, where he had maintained a vacation home since 1977. Mr. Rockwell took an active part in the Fenwick Island community, serving as a member of the town council. He was also a member of the town’s building committee and was in charge of the town’s lifeguards for several years.
Mr. Rockwell was a lifelong, active and loyal Free Mason. He was past master of his council, high priest of his chapter and member of the commandery, Blue Lodge and the Shriners. This was a very important part of his life.
Mr. Rockwell was also an avid sports fan. He followed his favorite Philadelphia teams religiously, including the Phillies, the old Athletics, the Eagles, and of course the football and soccer teams at West Chester University.
In addition to his son, Mr. Rockwell is survived by his two grandsons, Scott R. Rockwell of Baltimore, and Jordan E. Rockwell of Los Angeles, Calif. His wife, the former Mary Adelaide Reynolds Rockwell, died in 1982.
A service will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, June 9, at the chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View. Interment will follow the next morning at Conestoga Memorial Park, Lancaster.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the John A. and M. Adelaide Rockwell Scholarship Fund at West Chester University. Contact KGraves@wcuFoundation.org.
