Howard Jacob Rohrer III, age 88, of Ontario NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Howard was born in Hagerstown, MD on February 21, 1936, to the late Howard Jacob Rohrer Jr. and Marie (Myers) Rohrer. He was also predeceased by his son Charles Rohrer.

Howard is survived by his wife Madelyn Grape Rohrer; son, John (Emily) Rohrer; stepdaughter, Victoria (Michael) Ingalls; sister, Kathleen (Steve) Showe; grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) Ingalls, Miranda (Jake) Deats, Matthew (Kaytlin) Ingalls, Beatrix Rohrer, and Travis Rohrer; great grandchildren, Ravenna and Reagan Ingalls. He is also survived by daughter Laura Brooks; sons, Howard Rohrer IV and David Rohrer; grandchildren; and great grandchildren.

Howard is a graduate of Hagerstown High School and the University of Maryland, where he received a bachelor's degree in education. His love was music. Being certified to teach instrumental, choral, and classical music, he spent his professional career with the Howard County Maryland Public School System as a music teacher and band director.

His time in the U.S. Navy (1954-1958) also revolved around music. He was at sea for 3-1/2 of his four-year tenure, serving aboard a battleship, a freighter, three heavy cruisers, and a destroyer. In addition to being a radarman, he played clarinet and saxophone with the Navy's Sixth Fleet Flagship Band.

In private life and in retirement, Howard was very involved in his church: Sunday School, working on committees, singing in the choir, and playing music. Outside of church, he played in local bands, a classical music trio, numerous instrumental groups, and occasionally a symphony. He was assistant conductor of the Kingsport TN Community Band when needed, but refrained, from committing to anything full-time because he didn't want music or community involvement to cut into another love in his life…golf! Until age 85, Howard played golf as much as his spare time allowed, walking the course (usually by himself) and carrying his clubs. It was his personal time for relaxation and reflection. He good-naturedly held out the hope that, in addition to beautiful music, heaven might include a little golf!

A celebration of Howard's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on October 12 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1961 Ridge Road, Ontario, NY.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family are invited to make a donation to: Jonesborough United Methodist Church , 211 West Main Street, P. O. Box 115, Jonesborough TN 37659, or to the comfort care home that took such good care of him during his final days: Pines of Peace , 2378 Ridge Road, Ontario, NY 14519.

To share a special memory please visit www.murphyfuneralservices.com.