Roland Wilhelm Dedekind Jr., 86, of Emmaus, died Jan. 21, 2020. He was the husband of Phyllis Rehrig Dedekind. They were married for 37 years. Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late Roland W. and M. Virginia (Buchmann) Dedekind. He lived most of his young life in West Lawn.

He was a member of Locust Valley Chapel C.M.A. Church, Coopersburg. He loved the Lord Jesus Christ and served the churches he attended as an administrative council chairperson, sang in the church choirs, taught Sunday school and Bible study, both in the church and in his home.

He attended Ursinus College, University of Wisconsin and Rutgers University where he received degrees in math specializing in statistics.

He was employed at Goodyear Aircraft Corporation in design analysis and aircraft development. He joined Muhlenberg College in 1959 teaching statistics and computer science. He was instrumental in starting the computer science major, was director of evening sessions and registrar for 10 years. He served the college for 40 years.

He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, stained glass and the reading of mystery, frontier life, U.S. Civil War and history books. He became well known for the jokes he told. He had a special love for others.

He is survived by his wife; children, Jennifer, of Philadelphia, Christopher, of San Rafael, Calif., Tara and her husband, Stephen Armbruster, of Lehighton; stepchildren, William Bishop and his wife, Angie, of Dover, Fla., Stephanie and her husband, Jimmy Gross, of Orefield, Kelly Bishop, wife of Lori, of Neptune, N.J., Wade Bishop, of Lutz, Fla.; sister, Cynthia Ennis, of Reading; brothers, Ross and Michael, of West Lawn; niece, Hilary Deighan and nephew, Marin Ennis; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Locust Valley Chapel.