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Enjoying his good life every day
Retired letter carrier Thomas Roush of State College describes himself as being very fortunate. He survived a sniper attack in World War II as a 19-year old member of the Army’s 337th Infantry Regiment.
He spent 11 months and three weeks in the hospital recovering from his wounds. He first saw combat action near Anzio in Italy. Prior to his tour of duty in Italy, he served in Morocco and Algeria and in addition to receiving the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the World War II Victory medals as a member of the 337th Infantry, 85th Division, he also received a Presidential Unit citation for his military service. “I survived and now 64 years later I can say I’ve had a good life,” he says.
Part of that good life was Anna, his wife of 54 years. “We had a wonderful life together and have two children, both Penn State graduates, that we’re extremely proud of,” he says fondly. His daughter Ruth Ann is retired from the State Department and son Fred is a police officer in Maryland. “When my wife passed away in 2003, I was devastated,” he remembers. “I miss her everyday, but I’m so thankful for all the years we had together and for our children.”
“My wife had wonderful care at Geisinger and the House of Care, located on the Danville campus, is a special place,” says Thomas.
“My wife used the House of Care and I feel strongly about making an annual gift to support it. My family and I were treated with respect at Geisinger and that is why Geisinger is also part of my estate plans,” he adds.
“Geisinger is exceptional,” says Thomas. “The physician thought enough of us to call my daughter in Vienna, Austria, where she was working so she had enough time to get home before her mother passed. There is a great relationship between the Roush family and the Geisinger family,” says Thomas with a smile. “I have strong feelings for Geisinger and I feel good about being able to make gifts to Geisinger.”
Thomas describes his wife as an extra special, one-of-a kind lady. “After she died, I was a bit lost, but my daughter taught me how to cook, bake and do my own cleaning,” he says. “Now I take care of the entire house myself,” he says proudly. He points to the Baldwin apple tree in his back yard that he and his wife planted 45 years ago and to the baskets of freshly picked apples on his porch as examples of his baking skills. “Those will be pies and dumplings,” he says with a laugh.
An avid pinochle player, Thomas, his widowed sister and other friends and family, play cards on a regular schedule. “We all care for each other and we have a lot of fun,” he says. “I keep busy with that and I have coffee each morning with another group of good friends. My family has also been lifelong members of Saint Peters United Church of Christ in State College where I also have many dear friends. I’m thankful each day for all the good that is part of my life.”
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