Robert H. “Jake” Roak

David Peake
January 3rd, 2020
8 comments

8 comments
  • Grace B Allely / January 3, 2020 at 6:59 pm

    I was so sorry to learn of the death of Robert and Betsy Roak. Robert was a cousin of my mother Edith McMahon Bower. His father Reverend Roak was my grandmother Edith Kurtz McMahon’s first cousin. I haven’t seen the family in many years, but have happy memories of visits to their childhood home at Old Swedes Church.

    My sympathy to David Roak and Christina Roak and their families.

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  • Jake was the guy you always wanted in your corner. What an uncle. Jake and Betsy made a home wherever they went, and it was awesome to have them in our lives. Love you guys always.

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  • Jennifer Daugherty / January 5, 2020 at 3:34 pm

    My heart is with the family now, and I am so shocked and sorry to hear of the loss of both Jake and Betsy, my cousins on my father Doc’ Hopkins’ side of the family. I have so many fond memories of both. I remember sleeping over with Jennifer and playing on their pastoral property as a child, and later sharing many meaningful conversations about education, when I became a teacher as well. They were such a loving couple, so perfectly suited to one another. My condolences to their three beautiful children and all their grandchildren.

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  • Phil and Carolyn Cohan / January 7, 2020 at 10:20 am

    Beautiful tribute to a terrific guy. RIP Jake. We’ll miss you while enjoying the memories.

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  • We could not have asked for two better in-laws for our son, Michael. Together with Jake and Betsy we enjoyed countless Christmas Eves, Easters, school concerts and plays, hockey games, skating exhibitions, familyt weddings, walks in the Wissahickon and up near our home in Bucks County, and much more. We are blessed to have such special memories of Betsy and Jake, but will miss them deeply.

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  • Frauke Brinkbäumer / January 8, 2020 at 2:42 am

    So sad to hear of your father’s death.
    He was one of my Dad’s best friends with whom he had great
    snoring competitions.
    I remember him as a very humorous, tolerant, open-minded and people loving person. I loved to see the way he approached 5 year old Lennart on bis last visit : naturally , kind, eye – to -eye.
    I certainly won’t forget him.
    May he rest in peace.
    Frauke
    ( Duesseldorf/ Germany )

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  • Mr Roak was my German teacher at Penn Charter and I remember a kind and patient man (although I have to admit to bearing some responsibility for occasionally pushing him beyond the limits of that patience!).
    My youngest daughter recently said to my wife and me that she hoped we die together, which was initially a rather surprising thing to hear. She quickly explained her reasoning: that we spend so much time together and are so connected that one without the other would be very painful. I suspect that would have been the case for Jake and Elizabeth.
    My heartfelt condolences to the Roak family for their sudden losses.

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  • What a dear man he was. If half the people in the world were as sweet and giving as Mr. Roak was, the world would be a happier place. He and Betsy accomplished so much in their 56 years together. Love to their beautiful family.

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