Robert Levi Rooke (June 2, 1891 – June 27, 1994) was an American businessman and philanthropist, and benefactor to

Bucknell University Bucknell University is a Private college, private Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal-arts college in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1846 as the University at Lewisburg, it now consists of the College of Arts a ...

. He gifted Rooke Chapel to Bucknell University in memory of his parents. Rooke Hall, at

Colby–Sawyer College Colby–Sawyer College is a private college in New London, New Hampshire, United States. It was founded as a coeducational academy in 1837 and sits on a campus. History New London Academy A legislative charter was granted by the State of ...

, is named for him.

Early life and education

Rooke was born in 1891 in Winfield, Pennsylvania, to Charles M. Rooke and Olive Susan Kreamer. He was their second child; their first, daughter Fanny, died aged two. After studying in a one-room schoolhouse in Winfield, in 1913 Rooke graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from

, located four miles upstream from his hometown. He began working for the General Electric Company and Public Service Electric in

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

. During World War I, he served in the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the naval warfare, maritime military branch, service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is the world's most powerful navy with the largest Displacement (ship), displacement, at 4.5 millio ...

Career

Rooke became a partner in Merrill Lynch and Company in 1928, nine years after joining the company as a bond salesman. He later established the company's Newark office.

Personal life

Rooke married Alice Withington. They had a daughter and two sons. In the early 1960s, he donated funds to Bucknell University for the construction of Rooke Chapel in memory of his parents. The school's Freas–Rooke Swimming Pool and Freas–Rooke Computer Center are also named for him. To mark his 100th birthday, in 1991, the school dedicated a case studies room, in their Rooke Chemistry Building, to him. Rooke was a university trustee from 1930 to 1975. Rooke bequeathed funds for the construction of Rooke Hall at

New London, New Hampshire New London is a New England town, town in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 4,400 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The town is the home of Colby–Sawyer College, site ...

. His daughter-in-laws, Natalie Davis Rooke and Anastasia Payne Rooke, were Colby–Sawyer alumnae, as was his granddaughter, Marianne Rooke Fairall.

Death

Rooke died in 1994, aged 103, at his home in

Palm Beach, Florida Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. Located on a barrier island in east-central Palm Beach County, the town is separated from West Palm Beach, Florida, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth Beach, Florida, ...

. At the time of his death, he was believed to have been the oldest member of the

New York Stock Exchange The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE, nicknamed "The Big Board") is an American stock exchange in the Financial District, Manhattan, Financial District of Lower Manhattan in New York City. It is the List of stock exchanges, largest stock excha ...

, having begun working there in 1928. He was still working, at Merrill's branch in

Morristown, New Jersey Morristown () is a Town (New Jersey), town in and the county seat of Morris County, New Jersey, Morris County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey.

, a month before his death. He was interred in

Lewisburg Cemetery Lewisburg Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Located immediately to the north of Bucknell University, and dating to 1848, it is a contributing site of the Lewisburg Historic District. There are around 13, ...

, beside his wife, who preceded him in death by eight months, and his parents. The cemetery is located around north of the Rooke Chapel.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rooke, Robert Levi 1891 births 1994 deaths 20th-century American businesspeople 20th-century American philanthropists Businesspeople from Pennsylvania Philanthropists from Pennsylvania Bucknell University alumni United States Navy sailors New York Stock Exchange people