Roy Stehle Vollmer Jr.'s Obituary
Roy Stehle Vollmer, Jr., born January 13, 1937 in Philadelphia, passed away at home in Riverton NJ on October 10, 2024 due to complications from cancer. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his loving wife Suzanne (nee Roy), a son Adam Vollmer, two granddaughters, Alexandra and Vivian Vollmer; sister Janet Jost and brother Matthew Vollmer (Jeanne); nieces Kris Prop, Julie Ridgeway (John), and Katherine Benson (Jim).
Vollmer grew up in Wynnewood, Pa., graduating from Episcopal Academy. He earned his BArch from Penn State Univ. and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. In 1963 he earned his MArch from the Univ. of Penn. in the Louis I. Kahn Masters Program and minoring in Painting.
Hired by architect Kahn, he became Kahn’s on-site representative for the Second Capitol of Pakistan Project in Dacca (Dhaka) East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) 1964-66. After returning to Philadelphia, Vollmer worked for Mitchell/Giurgola Architects in Philadelphia and New York. He was a senior designer for Ewing Cole Cherry Parsky, AIE, where among his projects was the Chrystal Paddock at the Garden State Race Track. Roy had a private architectural practice, designing custom homes and entering competitions with John and Brigitte Knowles as Vollmer/Knowles, AIA & ARIBA, Architects.
He taught architectural design at Drexel Univ., Penn State Univ. and Temple Univ. At Spring Garden College, he was Professor and Chair, building the college’s new architecture program. Roy maintained his private architectural practice throughout his teaching career and after.
Roy served as chair of the Riverton Zoning Board and was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and the Riverton Country Club. He was an avid sailboat racer and cruiser and a member of Riverton Yacht Club where he was Commodore in 2010. He was also a member of The Corinthians Sailing Organization, participating in inland and coastal waters and off shore sailing events. Vollmer also flew his small single engine airplane, Snuffy, while living in State College, Pa.
Roy had a love for and ability in arts and crafts: figure drawing, wood block printing, painting and sculpture. His latest ventures with his wife were travel, gardening and grandchildren. During his lifetime he visited over 25 countries on 5 continents.
Friends and family are invited to Christ Church, 500 Fourth Street, Riverton, NJ to celebrate his life. Visitation is 10-11 AM, and a service followed by interment in the church memorial garden is at 11 AM. A reception will follow at Riverton Country Club, 1416 Highland Ave. Cinnaminson, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Riverton Steamboat Landing Foundation, P.O. Box 2911, Riverton, NJ 08077.
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