Roger L. Whiteley
OBITUARY
Roger L. Whiteley, 95, formerly of Hellertown, passed away January 24, 2026, at Kirkland Village, Bethlehem. He was the devoted husband of the late Marilyn V. Whiteley for 72 years. Born in Yardville, NJ, on January 30, 1930, he was the son of the late Clifford J. and Verna E. (Archer) Whiteley.
A graduate of Hamilton High School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (BS ’52, MS ’53), Roger joined Bethlehem Steel in 1953, rising to Assistant Director of Research and later Vice President of Production Technology before retiring in 1984. He then served as Associate Director of Innovation Management Studies at Lehigh University until 1998. Roger was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, serving as Deacon and Board of Trustees President, and a member and officer of the Bethlehem Rotary Club. An avid golfer and skier, he enjoyed annual family ski trips to Stowe, VT, and skied into his seventies. A genealogy enthusiast, he traced the Whiteley lineage to the 14th century.
Survivors include his children Jon (Denise), Joanne (John), and Jeffrey (Denice); son‑in‑law Richard McVoy; six grandchildren; and three great‑grandchildren. He was predeceased by his daughter Joy W. Ackerman and brothers Harold E. and Donald P. Whiteley.
Service will be held in the Auditorium at 3000 Kirkland Village on February 21 at 2PM. Full obituary at www.connellfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s Hospice.