A DEVASTATING LOSS
Tragedy cuts short Exeter man’s effort to revitalize Birdsboro’s VFW post
In his brief stint as commander of Birdsboro VFW Post 411, Jess E. Rohrbach proved himself to be invaluable.
Whether it was bringing records up to snuff to comply with state liquor laws or running a chicken bake fundraiser, Rohrbach grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns and wouldn’t let go, said Dave Seidel, past commander.
Seidel happily gave up command of the VFW about a year and a half ago after 27 years. Rohrbach had the right combination of youth and management experience to take on the role, he said.
“He was a good asset to the club,” Seidel said. “He was young blood, he had good ideas. He just didn’t have time to get them into motion.”
Rohrbach, 44, of Exeter Township was killed on Nov. 8 when his motorcycle and four others were struck head-on by an SUV that crossed into their lane on Route 183 in Penn Township.
The crash remains under investigation by state police in Reading, who have withheld the names of the other riders and the SUV driver.
Seidel said the death of Rohrbach struck a devastating blow to the VFW, which has an aging membership.
“Jess was kind of a good guy in the sense that everybody liked him,” Seidel said. “He knew how to run a business from his experience in the military.”
Rohrbach had a 21-year career in the Navy and was a member of the Seabees Naval Construction Battalions). He retired as a chief petty officer.
After taking the baton from Seidel, Rohrbach dove into the club records, updating the bookkeeping as well as club bylaws with the help of lawyers to ensure compliance with state regulations on selling liquor and conducting small games of chance.
“He made changes to satisfy the needs of the state police,” Seidel said, referring to the agency’s bureau of liquor control enforcement. “He was working on that at the time of his death.”
Like many social organizations, the Birdsboro VFW has an aging membership and struggles to bring in younger members.
“What happens as these younger guys get out of the mil
itary is they have families and functions to do and don’t have the time that is required to run the business,” Seidel said. “Jess is one of guys who would pitch in to get things done. We’re going to miss him sorely.”
Rohrbach was a member of the Desert Knights Motorcycle Club, which was going to make the VFW its meeting place.
He was riding with members of the group’s Berks County chapter en route to that destination when the crash happened about 3:45 p.m. on the second Sunday in November.
It was unseasonably warm, with a record high temperature of 76 degrees reported that afternoon at nearby Reading Regional Airport in Bern Township.
According to state police, the SUV driven by a 51-yearold woman was traveling north on Route 183 while Rohrbach and four other riders were headed south in a staggered motorcycle formation.
For some reason, the SUV crossed the double yellow line and struck Rohrbach’s motorcycle, causing it to catch fire and explode. Rohrbach was thrown from the bike and died at the scene.
The SUV then hit at least two other motorcycles in succession.
Joe Baker, national vice president of the Desert Knights, said he got a call shortly after the crash. He rushed over to be of assistance to his fellow club members and their wives.
“For these guys especially, I have personally worked with their chapter since it formed,” he said. “It’s a nightmare.
“We’re part of a military organization. What brings us together is we are veterans. It’s heart-wrenching.
As he was driving to Berks from his home in Chester County, Baker couldn’t help but think that it sounded similar to the June 2019 crash in which a pickup truck collided with a group of motorcyclists on a rural highway in New Hampshire, killing seven riders.
“We ride together in this formation because, No. 1, you personally feel safer, and No. 2, so people can see you when you’re in these groups,” Baker said. “It’s just mind-boggling that something like this can happen.”
Rohrbach leaves behind his wife, the former Christine Sutton, and their two children, Cecelia and Connor.
A friend of the wives of one of the surviving victims has set up a T-shirt fundraiser via Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RaiseUpRohrbach/ to help the Rohrbach family.
Jennifer Westlake, who lives in Blair County, said she doesn’t know the Rohrbach family but wanted to help ease their burdens.
“I have family members who used to ride avidly and also have veteran family members,” she said. “So when I heard about the accident, it hit home in various ways and I wanted to ease issues that the family might be having.”
Westlake, a graphic designer by trade, said the Desert Knights are rallying around each other.
“I know that they’re all focusing on each other,” she said.