Roy J. Ketchum

Roy Justin Ketchum, EdD
1926 — 2019

Greece, NY – 93 years old –entered the nearer embrace of God on March 4, 2019.

Beloved father, teacher, mentor, and friend to many, he was predeceased by his wife Katsuko ("Katy") Ketchum, parents Elsie Ernisse Ketchum and Howard Wilbur Ketchum, and sister Carol Evershed. He is survived by his loving daughters, Karen A. Ketchum and Linda E. Ketchum-Pompili, son-in-law Paul M. Pompili, niece Catherine Evershed, and his beloved companion Janet Wagner and her family: Stephanie, Jeffrey, Maxwell, Lucy, and Thomas Wagner.

Mr. Ketchum ("Uncle Roy" or "Dr. K." or "Coach") was a dedicated life-long educator, a science teacher to hundreds of high school students from 1948 to 1981 in Warsaw, NY, Hempstead, American military base high schools in Japan (Narimasu), Hilton, Greece Olympia, Greece Athena. For the next 25 years, he was a popular chemistry professor for students at Monroe Community College. Many of his MCC chemistry students went on to nursing school.

Roy grew up in Irondequoit, attended Durand Eastman Elementary School, was a Democrat & Chronicle paper boy, and sailed in Irondequoit Bay. He was in Boy Scout Troop 106, later an Eagle Scout. Roy was one of the boys who met Mrs. Amy Jenkins Cutler during a 14-mile hike in the 1930s, an encounter that led to her to donate land and money for what became the J. Warren Cutler Scout Reservation (Camp Cutler).

Roy graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in 1943, then served in the US Navy during WWII 1944-1946. He finished college on the GI Bill, class of 1948, University of Rochester, where he joined Theta Delta Chi. In 1972, Roy received his Doctorate of Education (EdD) at the U of R. He belonged to American Legion post 0134 in Irondequoit for 60 years.

Known by many as a master gardener and horticulture/bonsai teacher, Roy was a leader in the Men's Garden Club and the Garden Center of Rochester. He shared his love of the outdoors with many on hiking, camping, and canoe trips. An avid reader, he was active in book clubs at Trinity Church and the Irondequoit Library.

Family will receive friends 1-3 PM and 5-8 PM, Thursday March 7 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 2636 Ridgeway Ave, Rochester, NY 14626. A service in thanksgiving for Roy Ketchum's life will be held 11 AM Saturday, March 9 at Trinity Episcopal Church (Greece), 3450 Ridge Road West, Rochester, NY 14626 (entrance on North Ave).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roy's memory to Trinity Episcopal Church or the Lamberton Conservatory of the Highland Park Conservancy.