With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Rosedale Technical College’s past president, Bernard “Ben” E. Wilke, a visionary leader whose legacy profoundly impacted Rosedale Technical College and the private career school industry. Born September 3, 1937, Mr. Wilke passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at the age of 86.
Mr. Wilke had dedicated his career to private career schools, serving the higher education sector for over 40 years (early 1960s until 2006). He worked in schools in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Rosedale Tech was his final destination in his higher education career journey.
Mr. Wilke served in various roles within Rosedale Tech, including leading student enrollment and financial aid from 1974 to 1980, in addition to being School Director from 2001-2005. Under Mr. Wilke’s leadership, Rosedale Tech experienced substantial enrollment growth, both when he started at Rosedale Tech in the 1970s (over 500 students) and when he returned to the school in the early 2000s (he had left for a while to serve as campus president at a school in Maryland). During his career, Mr. Wilke served as President of the Maryland Association of Private Schools and a past board of directors for Career College Association.
A couple of Mr. Wilke’s key accomplishments at Rosedale Tech included his efforts in establishing the automotive and diesel associates in specialized technology (AST) degree programs. When Mr. Wilke returned to Rosedale Tech in 2000, the College only had a combined auto/diesel diploma program. Mr. Wilke initiated moving the programs to AST degree programs, separating automotive and diesel into two programs, and adding an AST degree program in electrical.
Another key accomplishment of Mr. Wilke was leading the charge in moving Rosedale Tech from its former Browns Hill Rd location to the Kennedy Township location, where the College still operates. Mr. Wilke scoured the Pittsburgh area, looking at over 25 properties before finding the current location. In addition to negotiating a tremendous deal for the building, he did the architectural designs and drawings for the remodel work that would need to take place to make the building home.
As pointed out by late broadcast journalist Donald McGannon, “Leadership is an action, not a position.” Mr. Wilke will be remembered for his leadership style and business practices. One practice that his son, Rosedale Tech’s current President Dennis Wilke, noted was that his dad never tried to change people.
“He let them do what they were good at, and he got their best effort because of that,” said Dennis. Also, he never got angry. He took things in stride and didn’t let people get down when a mistake happened.
Mr. Wilke’s business practices continue to be instilled into Rosedale Tech’s business practices.
“My dad leaves behind a legacy of leadership, fellowship, and good times. He could be both the life of the party and a quiet steady presence. He was a one-of-a-kind guy who will be remembered as a favorite boss, a man of many varied talents, and an all-around “cool guy”,” said Dennis.
Earlier this year, Mr. Wilke’s longtime business associate and former Rosedale Tech board member, Wes Henry, passed away. Mr. Henry was the owner of North American Trade Schools, which included various campus across the United States and Canada, including New Castle School of Trades in New Castle, PA, and Medix School in Baltimore, MD, where Mr. Wilke was campus President for 10 years through the 1990s.
As noted in his obituary, Mr. Wilke was a beloved husband to the late Madeline (Panza) Wilke, father to David (Cheri), Dennis (Christine), and Bernard “Bernie” Wilke. Mr. Wilke had eight grandchildren: Matthew, Michael, Brian, Jack, Luke, Benjamin, Nicholas, and Anna. He was one of eight children and enjoyed his many nieces and nephews.
Outside of his work in education, Mr. Wilke was an avid baseball player and fan. He enjoyed coaching his sons throughout their childhood and supporting his grandchildren in their athletic endeavors. In 2010, he was inducted into the Clinton County (Illinois) Baseball Hall of Fame for his work on the field as a manager.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the Ben Wilke Scholarship Fund at Rosedale Technical College, which will help keep his lifelong mission of promoting student success and achievement alive by offering financial support to aspiring technicians. Donations can be made Here.
Schools Mr. Wilke Worked at:
- Arthur Murray
- Art Institute of Pittsburgh
- Rosedale Technical Institute
- Waterson Diesel Institute – Charlotte
- Computer Systems Institute – Meadville, PA
- Career Education Incorporated – Cleveland, Ohio
- Medix School – Baltimore, Maryland
- Rosedale Technical College