William “Bill” G. Robelen 4th
May 10, 1935 - August 27, 2019
William “Bill” G. Robelen 4th, passed away at home on August 27, 2019 after a long illness. He was 84.
Bill was born in Wilmington, DE on May 10, 1935. His career in Human Resources included positions at Chrysler Corporation and Delaware Contractors Association. Bill was President of the Fort Delaware Society from 1994 until 2012, when he was named Chairman of the Board. He was also a Lay Eucharistic Minister until 2008, most recently at Immanuel on the Green.
Bill began singing in church choirs at the age of 7. He was a member of the Madrigal Singers, directed the Newbold Singers, was Director of Music at Limestone Presbyterian Church (1985-2000), and directed the Blue Rock Chorus (2002-11). He was also stage director for The Wilmington Opera Society, The Nutcracker at the Playhouse (1967-94), including 14 years as Herr Drosselmeyer, and the Wilmington Ballet Company. He also did set design for the Reedy Point Players.
In his spare time, Bill enjoyed woodworking, model railroading, and remodeling his home. He had an incredible sense of humor, which he passed down to his children, along with his love of music and working with his hands.
Bill’s family would like to thank Vitas Hospice for their excellent care and guidance.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Carolyn; daughter, Jennifer, sons, William G. 5th (Chantel) and Robert; brother, Peter (Debbie); and his granddaughter, Hannah. He was preceded in death by his parents, William G. 3rd and Jeannette S. Robelen, and his sister, Sally Runk.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 7 at Immanuel Church on the Green, 50 Market Street, New Castle, DE 19720. Interment will follow in the adjoining cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory may be made to the Immanuel Church Music Fund, at the address listed above.
Barbara Tilton
Dear Carolyn and family, Bill and I are so sorry for your loss. Your Bill was an extraordinary man — full of fun and talent. I was privileged to work with him in Opera Delaware, the Trinity choir and Blue Rock Chorus. We even had chairs repaired by him! And we remember visiting your home and watching the trains come through the walls!! He was very clever with his hands and so willing to help. I remember listening to him tell how he was working to his daughter’s house. Nothing seemed too difficult or too big a job. I’m glad I got to sing with him in Blue Rock Chorus before he retired. I’m sorry we can’t be there for his funeral.
Barbara Tilton
Music Director,
Blue Rock Chorus
Marc and Susan Long
Bill’s big smile, good humor and caring way will be missed by those of us who grew accustomed to seeing him each summer at Pleasant Beach. His tales of the many Maine summers he spent here on the mid coast were always told with great enthusiasm and we will sorely miss hearing those “stories”. Our heartfelt condolences and sympathy go out to his devoted, loving, and very special family. May love and precious memories guide you through this difficult time.
Else Miller
They don’t make them like him any more. He was one in a million…. in a trillion.
Denise Rzeznikiewicz
So sorry to hear of Bills passing. We so looked forward to seeing you on Pleasant Beach. He always made summer in Maine a delight
Kevin and Anita Ceroky
Bill will certainly be missed. He’s a terrific guy, and a pleasure to have known. There were so many life-parallels between Bill and I that we became instant friends as soon as we met. I look forward to seeing him again in Heaven. Our sorrows on this earth will pass, and we hold to our faith in Jesus for eternity.
Deborrah Cole
Rest In Peace my dear friend. You will be missed. Look forward to seeing you again some day!!!!!
Thomas Shepler
He was an incredible humble gifted man who was always willing to help others and relay to others in a constructive way what he was lucky/fortunate to learn. You are missed Bill Robelen.
I hope to attend his funeral on Saturday
Else Miller
I loved him. Everyone did.
I will miss his phone calls and I will miss calling ###-####. And I will miss his cheery smile.
He had more talent in his little finger than most people had all over, period.
Cynthia Miller
I met Billy in first grade. He was my first love. One day at recess, I asked him if he would marry me when we grew up. After a moment’s thought he said yes he would if I would stop sucking my thumb. We would go through our entire schooling at Mt. Pleasant, becoming the fourth class to graduate from that school. There were 84 in our graduating class, about half of us academics, so we got to know each other pretty well.
Jeff Canning
I did not learn of Bill’s passing until I attended the Feb. 2 luncheon of the Fort Delaware Society. I always looked forward to connecting with him at the annual luncheon since I became involved with the Society about 15 years ago. As a past president of my own local historical society in a northern suburb of New York City, I enjoyed talking a lot of “shop” with him. He was a wonderful human being and a great friend of history. Mere words cannot do justice to everything he did to preserve our heritage. May you rest in peace, my friend, until we meet again.