William Rooke G’06, G’12, a stockbroker and philanthropist, died July 31 in Paradise Valley, Ariz. After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1953, Rooke enlisted in the Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant junior grade. Upon discharge, he studied at Dartmouth’s Amos Tuck School of Business and graduated in 1956.
He was a stockbroker, starting at Merrill Lynch in 1956 and becoming a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1959.
A passionate advocate for Bucknell, he regularly encouraged and recommended prospective students for admission and provided significant philanthropic support to advance major projects, including the Weis Music Building and Academic West.
He spent 30 years as a trustee of Morristown Memorial Hospital in New Jersey and five as chairman of the board. He also was a benefactor of and volunteer for HonorHealth Thompson Peak Hospital.
He was predeceased by his first wife. Survivors include his wife; four sons; nine grandchildren, including Andrew Rooke ‘06 and Schuyler Rooke ‘12; and two great-grandchildren.
After graduating from Dartmouth College in 1953, Rooke enlisted in the Navy and attained the rank of lieutenant junior grade. He was a stockbroker, starting at Merrill Lynch in 1956 and becoming a member of the New York Stock Exchange in 1959. A passionate advocate for Bucknell, he regularly encouraged and recommended prospective students for admission and provided significant philanthropic support to advance major projects, including the Weis Music Building and Academic West.