Ervin Rokke Obituary

Pam, you and I served together on the OWC at the Academy 1982 to 1986. My husband Jim, USAFA 1964, was the commander of the 557th squadron. You were supportive and fun and encouraging when you heard we were to become the base commander at RAF Upper Heyford. Jim and I held your beloved husband in the highest regard. He was both a spectacularly excellent Dean but also a perfectly wonderful gentleman. As a fellow widow, I know your many beautiful memories of him will sustain you in the future.

I was saddened to learn of Lt Gen Rokke passing. I met him during his years in Bethlehem , PA as President of Moravian College. Our relationship was started professionally and rapidly became a great friendship. We had long conversations in person and by phone after he returned to Colorado Springs. I cherished each and every one. He was one of the best. He was brilliant, kind, caring and honorable . That applied to everyone he knew and everything he did. We hadn´t spoken in a while so I was saddened to read of his passing .He had great dignity and will forever be remembered as one of the best men I have ever known.
My condolences to Pam, and his adult children and grandchildren. I will forever remember our friendship.

Erv was a wonderful person and great to be around. All though all my interactions with him took place at my work I enjoyed getting to see and talk with him. He was a wealth of knowledge and InSite. He always was kind and friendly. I will miss my chats with him. Pam my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Extraordinary men and women have a meaningful, lasting impact on the people and institutions they have led and served, long after their mortal passing. Erv Rokke was certainly one of those rare luminaries, but his even greater distinction lay in the sheer breadth of his impact throughout a lifetime of service. A scholar and educator, he stoked a passion for learning in the minds and lives of thousands of students and peers. A cold warrior and diplomat par excellence, he ensured our nation’s highest interests while serving in the very heart of the Soviet Union. A senior leader of consummate, disarming skill, he shepherded and transformed military and academic institutions alike. A man of integrity and character, he was a constant inspiration to those of us who had the very great fortune to work for and with him. He would simply say, in his typical, self-effacing manner, that he had only tried “to leave the woodpile a little higher” than it was when he found it. Indeed he did.

Lt Gen Rokke was a friend, mentor, and confidant. A wonderful man with impeccable character, a quick wit, and a servant´s heart. I will miss him.

Erv Rokke was a national treasure, and one of the smartest and kindest people you will ever meet. He made a positive impact everywhere he went, at the highest levels of government and academia. All who knew him will miss him dearly, but Heaven just got better! God bless the Rokke family.

A true soldier, scholar, family man, and member of his community. God bless him and his family.

I simply remember Erv as one of the nicest guys in the Class of 1962! Such a gentleman.

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone comparable to our fellow RTB: a brilliant scholar, warrior, and friend, Erv lived a life of service and devotion to his family, nation, and all who in some way had the privilege of knowing him. Our prayers, hearts, and deepest condolences are with Pam and the family during this time of mourning.
Nancy and John Fer

One of the best and brightest of the class of 1962!

Many USAFA grads provided vital service to the Air Force but none provided superior service to the nation than Erv Rokke with the profound assistance of his loving wife, Pam. None. God speed, Erv.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1883-1962) once wrote: "It is not one´s activities which are really important in this life. When you lay down the things you do, day by day, someone else always takes them up. The really important thing is what you are as a person, what your character and your presence have meant to those you lived with, and what influence you have had on the atmosphere of your home or your environment-regardless of whether this was a restricted one, or a broad one which touched many lives and large numbers of people. That is what lives afterwards in the memories and in the hearts of those who knew and loved you. As you influenced these people, so your influence will spread, through their contacts and their activities."

Gen. Rokke´s and Pam´s influence was "a broad one which touched many lives and large numbers of people" in positive ways, including ours. And he lives on "in the memories and in the hearts of those who knew and loved you."

I want to be express my sincere condolences to Mrs. Pam Rokke, and the entire Rokke family for the recent passing of LTG Rokke. He was my boss, mentor, and friend when we served at the
US Defense Attache Office, American Embassy
Moscow, USSR during the late 1980s. May he continue to Rest in Eternal Peace.

Lewis S. Wallace Jr.
Colonel USAF (ret.)

Dear Pam. Nancy and I are saddened by your loss. We all lost a great man. It's hard to describe the feeling I had when I was in his presence. It was something close the awe I think. And I just loved listening to his stories. I'll share an Erv story with you. Erv was the Dean and I was asked to give an FAA Flight Test briefing to one of the Advanced Aero classes. I was the FAA's Chief Scientist for Flight Management at the time. After the briefing I went to ERV's office and we had a great talk. He shared with me that he was considering getting back into regular Air Force and to do so meant giving up his BG rank. He asked me what I thought of the idea. I remember telling him "are you kidding"? And that he had so much more to give our country and that his rank would follow. It was nice to be right about that. Years later when Nancy and I moved to Monument, I was asked by the Aero Dept. to teach an Aero class. Before accepting, I asked what he thought of the idea. His answer was " are you kidding"? I really miss him.

We were friends and classmates at the Air Force Academy since we were both 18 years-old. Friendship with the entire Rokke family enlarged our lives. There was no classmate whom I admired or liked more. He was a giant in stature, intellect and character, an example for all. The Air Force lost a great officer, the nation lost a GREAT man. I shall miss him forever - Don Shepperd

The Buckley SFB military Retiree Activities Office (RAO) would like to offer our sincere condolences and our gratitude for Lt Gen Rokke's 35 years of distinguished service to our country in the Air Force. If you would like help with any matters related to casualty assistance, Defense Finance & Accounting Service, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Veterans Affairs (VA), etc. you can contact our office on Buckley SFB at 720-847-6693 or [email protected]. The RAO is staffed by volunteers, all military retirees themselves, and our sole purpose is to provide assistance to any military retirees and surviving spouses/family members with anything related to their military service and/or benefits, in particular during difficult times such as this. We are deeply sorry for your loss.

Steve Young
Lt Col, USAF, Ret
Director, Buckley SFB RAO