Georgian College names campus space after decorated local veteran

About a month before his 101st birthday, Maj.-Gen. Richard Rohmer, a decorated veteran aviator of the Second World War, was at Georgian College to celebrate the naming of a space in his honour.

The roundabout space around Georgian’s Barrie Campus cenotaph will now be known as Major-General Richard Rohmer Roundabout.

Richard took part in D-Day and is a senior Canadian veteran of the battles of Normandy, Belgium and Holland. Among his extensive list of achievements, he is the Honorary Lieutenant-General of the Canadian Armed Forces, member of Toronto law firm Rohmer & Fenn, award-winning author, and an honorary degree recipient from Georgian in 2019. He was also appointed a Chevalier of the Legion of Honour by the President of France in 2004.

“I would like to thank Georgian College for this great honour,” says Richard. “It is not lost on me that this road encircles the cenotaph of this great institution, which commemorates the brave men and women who have defended and served Canada in times of war and times of peace. You have my profound, heartfelt thank you for this legacy.”

Three people, one of whom is in a military uniform, stand next to a sign reading: Major-General Richard Rohmer Roundabout. — Jamie Massie, President of Georgian International and longtime Georgian College supporter, from left, Maj.-Gen. Richard Rohmer and Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College, unveil new signage in Rohmer’s name.

Rohmer helped Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College, unveil new signage at a tribute naming ceremony on Dec. 3. The signage will be installed next spring or summer at the entrance to Alumni Courtyard and at the end of Governors Drive.

As a military-connected college, Georgian’s thrilled to honour Maj.-Gen. Rohmer’s significant contributions to society. This new signage is one simple act of gratitude we can express for his decades of dedicated military and community service and inspiration as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces in helping protect the rights and freedoms we so value today.
– Kevin Weaver, President and CEO, Georgian College

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces and other invited guests attended the event, which was held in the Peter B. Moore Advanced Technology Centre.

Rohmer has distinguished career in military and law

Richard began his military service in 1936. He served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a fighter-reconnaissance pilot from 1942 to 1945 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He later served with the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve before returning to the RCAF during the Cold War, flying Vampire fighter jets and commanding squadrons in the 1950s.

A group of seven people stand or sit together in front of a large window. One of them is wearing a military uniform. — Maj.-Gen. Richard Rohmer, front left, with Kevin Weaver, President and CEO of Georgian College, and members of Georgian’s military-connected team. Back row, from left: Patricia Whittington, Director, Government and Employment programs; Stephen Waller, professor; Jason Kerr, Coordinator, Military-connected campus; Dr. Rebecca Sabourin, Dean, Engineering and Environmental Technologies; and Mike Whittaker, President of Georgian’s Military Veterans Club.

During this time, Richard also turned to postsecondary education to study law. He was called to the Bar in Ontario in 1951 and in Northwest Territories in 1970.

He continued serving with the air force in various roles and was on the Canadian Military Colleges Advisory Board to the Minister of National Defence. Richard holds numerous honours, including being appointed to the Order of Ontario in 1997.