T. Frank Decker, chemical engineer and volunteer

T. Frank Decker, 84, of Rydal, a chemical engineer and volunteer, died of pulmonary fibrosis Sunday, March 18, at Abington Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Decker grew up in Germantown and attended William Penn Charter School, where he rowed on the championship crew team coached by Olympic medalist John B. Kelly Sr.

At his graduation in 1945, Mr. Decker received the Senior Award from the school's Alumni Society. Years later, he was the group's president.

From 1945 to 1947, Mr. Decker served in the Army Air Force and was stationed in Japan.

After his discharge, he earned a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1951 from Cornell University and began his professional career with Atlantic Refining. In 1955, he joined Rohm & Haas Co. in Philadelphia and was an executive when he retired in 1985. He then was business manager for Abington Friends School for two years.

A longtime member of the Rotary Club of Jenkintown, Mr. Decker volunteered for more than 30 years with Meals on Wheels in Montgomery County. More recently, he read to children at the Jenkintown Day Nursery and sang in the chorus and served on the Green Committee at Rydal Park Retirement Community, where he and his wife, Helen Chandler Decker, moved in 2008 from their home in Rydal.

They met as teenagers at a dance at Penn Charter and were married for 59 years when she died in 2010.

Mr. Decker enjoyed travel, golf, fishing, gardening, and vacations with his family at the Jersey Shore.

"He had a dry, quick wit and was a great storyteller," said his son, Ted. Mr. Decker entertained at his grandchildren's birthday parties as the pirate "Salty Dog" and performed chemical experiments for the partygoers as the "Blue Genie."

Besides his son, he is survived by daughters Vickie Rosskam and Wendy Ambler; a sister; and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at noon Saturday, March 31, at Abington Presbyterian Church, 1082 Old York Rd., Abington.

A Friends Meeting for Worship will be at noon Sunday, April 15, at William Penn Charter School, 3000 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia 19144.

Donations may be made to the school.