George Quinter Rohrer

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Category: Obituaries

Created on Wednesday, 25 September 2013 11:51

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George Quinter Rohrer, who sailed to Sitka in 1945, died quietly Sept. 22 at his home, with his beloved granddaughter Shannon by his side.
He was 92.
He was born Nov. 24, 1920, in Rugby, N.D., the son of Anna Pearl and Stanley Quay Rohrer. During the Depression his family moved to Minot, N.D., and eventually to Dunseith, N.D., where he met Violet Belle McDermott. They were married on Sept. 19, 1936, in Rolette, N.D., and George became, in his words, a “rock farmer.”
On July 30, 1940, their daughter Patricia, their only child, was born.
 On Dec. 7, 1941, his life changed. He enlisted in the Merchant Marines, traveling to many places, including Alaska, for the war effort. He fell in love with Alaska, and having ported in Sitka decided this is where he wanted to put down roots.
In 1945, with his first boat the F/V Cora B, he sailed to Sitka with the intention of “catching the last salmon ever swimming in the Pacific Ocean.” He may not have caught the last salmon, “but he had them running scared,” a family member said. “He said his favorite fishing spot was where the fish were.”
As fishing prospered, so did George. He had three more boats, the F/V Esther, the F/V Majestic and, finally, the F/V Kathleen, built in 1972 and named after his first grandchild.
George continued fishing until he was 85.
George was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 68 years; his dog Libby; his parents; brother William Rohrer; son-in-law M.J. “Kelly” Callahan; granddaughter Kathleen Vilandre; grandson Michael Callahan; and great-granddaughter Vanessa Vilandre.
He is survived by his daughter, Patricia Callahan, of Yuma, Ariz.; granddaughters Shannon Callahan of Sitka and Heather Newman of Estacada, Ore.; grandsons Shayne Callahan and Shawn Callahan, both of Estacada; great-grandsons Michael Callahan of Sitka, Matthew Callahan of Anchorage, Ryan Vilandre of Juneau and Tyler Callahan of Estacada.
His great-granddaughters are Devyn Callahan of Estacada, and Danielle Callahan, Samantha Callahan and Nikole Callahan, all of Molalla, Ore.
Great-great-grandaughter Dalila Callahan, and great-great-grandsons Kellen Vilandre and Brock Callahan also survive.
George was a 32nd Degree Mason, and a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge.
At his request no services will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sitka Fire Department.

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