JERRY ROBZEN

Gerald “Jerry” Robzen, 89, of Kingston, PA passed away peacefully on January 6, 2022.

He was born in Kingston 1932, the son of the late Ben and Celia (nee Wolzinger) Robzen. He was a 1952 graduate of Meyers High School, Wilkes-Barre. Jerry served proudly in the United States Army, during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return stateside, he immediately went to work at his Dad's meat packing plant in Brookside, alongside his brothers. He was a member of the Anshe Emes Synagogue on S. Welles Street, Wilkes-Barre, and later, a member of the Ohav Zedek Congregation. As a youth, he attended the local Jewish Community Center, where he would go on to coach and play basketball.

Jerry was known for his wonderful sense of humor, fantastic storytelling, and his adoring and deep love for his wife Hannah and his entire family. A true renaissance man, Jerry held interests in a wide variety of subjects, including sports, history, politics, and aviation. Courting his future wife while she was still attending Penn State University, Jerry decided to obtain his pilot's license and to purchase his own plane, so that he could transport Hannah back to the Wilkes-Barre area much quicker. This would be considered a power move, and soon after, they were married, and remained so for 61 years.

A basketball standout while at Meyers, he was All-Scholastic and earned All-State honorable mention. Jerry also played in the Mid Atlantic League for several years, as well as coaching at the JCC. While serving in Korea, Jerry was captain of the Regimental Basketball team, which took the Far East Championship, played in the Philippines. Choosing work and family commitment over accolades, Jerry declined many college scholarship offers, and even a chance to play for the W-B Barons under coach Eddie White. He was selected to the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Mr. Robzen was preceded in death by his parents Ben and Celia Robzen, brother Leonard, brother Sydney and sister-in-law Esther (Weiss) Robzen, sister Shirley and brother-in-law Irwin Nestler, and niece Ellen Robzen Leavitt of Boston.

He is survived by his beautiful wife Hannah (Weiss) Robzen, Kingston, son Kevin Robzen, Kingston, Daughter Kim and her husband Joe Herbert, Strasburg, VA, Daughter Lee and her husband Dror Levi, Kingston, Grandchildren Tovah and Tori Herbert, Harrison and Chloe Levi, sister-in-law Florence Robzen, Kingston, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Jerry will be remembered fondly by the many people he's helped over the years, and by so many people who've been lucky enough to spend time with him, to hear his wonderous stories, and to share such extraordinary memories with him.  

Graveside funeral services will be held on Sunday at 1:00 pm at Anshe Emes Cemetery, Blanchard Street, Plains, PA.

Arrangements will be made by Rosenberg Funeral Home, Wilkes-Barre

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