John Rodenbeck Adler, Sr. died on April 12, 2026, at the age of 99 in his home in Pine Knoll Shores, NC.

John grew up in Great Neck, NY and, as a boy and adult, summered in Southold, LI, NY. While in high school, he boxed, competed in track and sailed competitively. During the final year of World War II, John, at age 17, enlisted in the navy; after his service, John attended Hartwick College majoring in business to eventually become an accountant. At Hartwick, John lettered in track each of his four years and was a loyal member of his Delta Phi fraternity. He met his wife to be, Anita Koerner, while taking post graduate classes at Columbia University. They married in 1953, initially living in The Bronx, before moving to Connecticut two years later.

Over the course of a long accounting career, John worked his way up to comptroller for two companies before finally establishing his own thriving accounting practice. At one point his son, Ralph, would join the business, Adler and Adler, Inc., before going on to pursue an academic career. John also participated in local government serving for many years on the finance committee for the town of Somers and was instrumental in starting two separate small manufacturing companies in the greater Somers, CT region. John and Anita eventually set up residence in Pine Knoll Shores, NC, where he continued well into his late 90’s to have an active accounting practice, including volunteer service as a regional coordinator in Morehead City for AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide program.

Although raising his family and working in Connecticut, and towards the latter half of life, living in North Carolina, John would religiously return to Southold each summer to spend time at the beach house he built. It was in Southold where he passed on to his sons and then grandchildren, his love of sailing and all things sports related. One of John’s greatest joys later in life was hosting his many grandchildren at his summer house while serving as the “senior camp counselor”. John was always up for playing tennis, pick-up basketball games, biking as well as road running, competing in races well into his 70s. In homage to his mother and brother, John for many years volunteered at the Southold Historical Society.

John’s quiet presence and dry wit touched the lives of innumerable family and friends over what would become just shy of a century. Having ultimately outlived so many, John would come to deeply miss their existence, especially in his lattermost years. However, he had a special fondness for his Pine Knoll Shores “amigos” and cherished, until the very end, their many visits with him and the visits with Pam Moren. Although for a man of few words this is a long obituary, to his many grandchildren, John, who was always the tease, leaves these parting words: “I got you last”!

John is survived by his four sons, John, Jr., M.D. and wife Marilyn, Brian, M.D. and wife Karen Bertrand, Ph.D., Ralph, Ph.D. and wife Sharon, Paul and wife Lori Basilico; grandchildren, John “Trip” and wife Sierra, Brittany, M.D., and husband Mark Yarchoan, M.D., Keith M.D., Scott, Griffin, Timothy, James, Cecily, M.D., Paul, and Samuel; and four great-grandchildren, Ian Yarchoan, Beck, Elise Yarchoan and Rhodes.

John was predeceased by Anita, his wife of 60 years; parents, Herbert and Rita; brother, Herbert Jr.; and grandson Peter.

The family would like to thank the excellent caregiving and companionship of Kathleen Mosier, Angela Grimes, Felicia Everson, Nicole Pearson and Gentiva Hospice, specifically Connie Kelly and Marion Tyler who always brought him great joy with every one of her visits.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.