More detail on this person: Ab Roesel left this earth on Wednesday, July 11th, his passion for cycling carrying him literally until his very last breath. Even though he left physical earth, we take comfort in the knowledge that, during his 75 trips around the sun, he made it a better place to be. His footprint on our hearts is indestructible and eternal. Albert Julius Roesel Jr., (Ab, as he was known by loved ones) was born to parents, Albert and Tappy Roesel, on November 29, 1942, in Wilmington, N.C., while his father was stationed there during World War II. The first of seven siblings, his early childhood was spent in Augusta and Savannah, Ga. During high school, the family relocated to Statesboro, Ga. There, he finished high school and graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1967 with a bachelor's in sociology and psychology. Just after graduation, he married Mary Angela Punaro and soon was drafted. In Vietnam, he served in the Army as a 134th medevac helicopter pilot, earning a Bronze Star for meritorious achievement, and rising to the rank of captain. His son and namesake, Bert, was born in 1973 and the family of three returned to Statesboro. He joined the family business, the H.A. Sack Company, serving in multiple roles until 1985. People often assumed Ab must be either a preacher or a teacher. He thought that might be a sign, so decided to turn his decades-long passion to become an educator into reality. He returned to Georgia Southern, where he earned a masters of mathematics education. His love for education and aviation resulted in many years of private piloting and flight instruction. Several years after his marriage to Mary Angela ended, he met his sweetheart, Cindy Kay Vann. The two rode to the marriage ceremony on a tandem bicycle in 1992. In their many years together, they fought relentlessly for social justice and the environment. They played a pivotal role in stopping the expansion of coal fire-powered by the Snapping Shoals EMC, and made an immeasurable positive impact in their community of Conyers, Ga. Ab championed the NAE teachers' union, drove for Meals on Wheels and advocated for multiple environmental and social justice causes. He remained active in Unitarian Universalist and humanist groups as well as the Statesboro and Conyers cycling clubs. He was a passionate writer, penning many thoughtful and inspiring letters to the editor. Amidst all their activism, Ab and Cindy continued to be cherished, devoted, loving family members who adored their large extended family, their children and grandchildren. He had deep devotion for the study of math, history and physics and he was a fierce advocate for science. He always asked questions and encouraged others to be inquisitive and to always question the status quo. He walked the walk of environmentalism and pushed every person around him to think deeply. To say Ab loved bike riding wouldn't do his passion justice. He was an avid cyclist and runner and competed in many races as well as the Georgia and National Senior Olympics. Cycling was a lifelong love that he always shared with friends and family. Often, it required a tandem or tagalong configuration for his companions to keep up with his pace, but good times and great conversation were guaranteed. Ab is preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Rosalyn (Tappy) Roesel. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 25 years, Cindy Roesel; stepdaughter, Crystal (Carl); granddaughters, Megan, Nicole and Patricia; and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his son, Bert (Susanna); grandchildren, Aurelia and AJ; his siblings, Richard (Dana), Chris (Connie), Rosalyn (Ron), Paul (Dee Ann), Philip (Karen) and Greg (Melissa); and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends who he adored. In grief and joy, Ab would implore us to hold our heads high, go for a walk or a ride with someone you love, speak out for the earth and the marginalized among us, love one another and take care of the d*mn ship! The service to celebrate Ab's life includes a short, intimate interment service for immediate family and cycling community at 1 p.m. July 21st in Conyers. A memorial service will be from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at First Existentialist in Atlanta, 470 Candler Park Drive NE, followed by a reception/life celebration at reserved meeting space at Manuel's Tavern, 602 N. Highland Avenue NE. Cut flowers may be brought to the graveside service and to the memorial service, but please do not bring arrangements with non-biodegradable parts. Please consider making donations to the ACLU of Georgia, Green Peace or the Sierra Club in his honor. Statesboro Herald, July 17, 2018
This information was last updated 09/14/2018
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