Samuel Rogers Wetherill

Samuel Rogers Wetherill, III, 72, beloved son, father, brother, grandfather and uncle, peacefully passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2017. Following his childhood in Haddonfield, NJ, Roger earned his pharmacy degree in 1968 at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science (now University of the Sciences in Philadelphia) and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1975 in Nuclear Pharmacy.

Throughout his career as a pharmacist, Roger served his patients and neighbors in a variety of community, hospital and military settings. A life-long learner and mentor, he taught countless pharmacy students and pharmacists who have gone on to positively influence the health of their communities and be leaders in the pharmacy profession. Roger was actively engaged in numerous organizations to include the Delaware Pharmacists Society and Al-Anon. In 2012, he was awarded a lifetime achievement award in pharmacy by the Delaware Pharmacists Society and in 2014 he received the University of the Sciences Ivor Griffith Service award.

Several generations of the Wetherill family have elected to pursue pharmacy as a lifelong passion. Members of the Wetherill family played an integral role in the founding of the University of the Sciences in 1821. Roger honored that legacy by actively serving the University’s Alumni Association and Board of Trustees in a variety of roles for over 20 years. Roger’s son, Samuel, himself a pharmacist and Army Officer, continues the family’s contribution to the profession of pharmacy.

Colonel Wetherill was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He began his military career in 1968 as a Captain at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. Passionately dedicated to his country, Roger served both stateside and overseas in a variety of roles. In 1991, he was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany where he served as the Chief of Pharmacy for the 97th General Hospital, which was his last duty station while on active duty. Roger received multiple awards and commendations throughout his military career to include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He retired in 1993 after 24 years of service to our country. COL Wetherill was a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College and the US Army War College.

Roger was a faithful member of Saint Peter’s Anglican Church in Elkton, Maryland.

He was predeceased in death by his father, Samuel Wetherill, Jr., and stepfather, Loren Coleman, Jr. He is survived by his mother, Edith Wetherill Coleman and brother, Dr. Stephen (Paula) Wetherill, of Wilmington, Delaware, his sister Barbara Coleman (Don Demore), of North Carolina, his sons Samuel (Jasmin) Wetherill IV, of Elkton, Maryland, and Mark (Hannah) Wetherill, of Las Vegas Nevada, along with 3 grandchildren and 10 nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited for a visitation on November 28, 2017 from 10:00 to 12:00 at Beeson Funeral Home, 2053 Pulaski Highway, Newark, Delaware with a memorial service following at 12:00. A private committal will follow at the Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia https://www.usciences.edu/giving/how-to-give/give-online.html

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