Rodger Van Altemus, 61, of Ashley Falls, Mass., died April 27 at the Geer Nursing Center in Canaan, Conn., after a long illness. He had lived in the Berkshires region of New England since 1982.

Born in Rochester, Beaver County, Jan. 30, 1946, he was the son of the late Leonard and Doris Gehm Altemus.

He grew up in Evans City, graduated from the Evans City High School in 1963 and received an associate degree from the Butler County Community College.

Mr. Altemus worked with special needs children and adults at several locations, including George Junior Republic, the Matheney School in New Jersey and the Kolburne School in Massachusetts. He most recently worked at Berkshire Meadows in Housatonic, Mass., from 1985 to 2000.

He served with the Army from 1965 to 1968 in Puerto Rico.

Surviving are a daughter, Katie Brynn Hamilton of Falls Village, Conn.; a sister, Lynette Bailey of Slippery Rock; a brother, Calvin Altemus of Pennsylvania; his former wife, Marsha Altemus of Ashley Falls; a son-in-law, Richard Hamilton, and a brother-in-law, Samuel Bailey. His first grandchild is due in November.

Altemus — The memorial service for Rodger Van Altemus, who died Friday, April 27, 2007, will be private.Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006.