TORRANCE, Calif. — The final curtain has closed on the magnificent life of the gifted Casey Charles Rohrer who passed peacefully at home on Feb. 21, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.
Casey was born on May 22, 2002 in Torrance, Calif. when a birth injury caused Cerebral Palsy. Despite this devastating diagnosis, Casey lived a most
spectacular and full life. The introduction at age 7 of his ‘Tobii’, an eye gaze communication device, afforded him the opportunity to finally let the world hear his voice. Over the course of his life he shared his thoughts and opinions on a myriad of subjects and occasions. However, it was musical theatre which sparked his greatest creative and imaginative achievements. His first big break came when he landed the role as ‘The Mirror’ in an elementary school production of ‘Snow White’. Later he was cast as ‘The Silent King’ in Family Theatre’s production of ‘Once Upon a Mattress’. As part of Anchorless Productions’ cast of ‘The Lion King’ he brought to life the character of kingly Mufasa, as well as Uncle Joe in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’.
Casey’s skills as a playwright emerged as he wrote and later starred in his first play ‘Once Upon a Roadtrip’ the comical journey of him and his family as they made their way through Yellowstone.
Over the past year Casey completed the script for the story of his life which he aptly named ‘Casey: The Musical’ in which he highlights the importance of friends and friendships.
Casey’s love of the theatre brought him to the bright lights of New York City where he was captivated by The Lion King and then invited backstage after the performance of Aladdin. He got to realize his dream of being onstage of a Broadway musical.
Casey was also a successful motivational speaker being invited to San Francisco by Microsoft/Tobii Dynavox and to New York City by CVS Pharmacy. His first speech was at his 8th grade graduation, and he went on to write and give speeches at UCLA, StemCyte, Beverly Hills Medical Science Academy, as well as several local elementary schools.
Casey’s smile was infectious, his laugh contagious and his outlook on life never endingly positive. His adventurous and exciting journey through life was admirably addictive to watch from the outside. We all wanted to live vicariously through this boy whose dreams became his reality.
Casey’s magical life is celebrated by his devoted parents Matt and Beth (Palmer); his siblings Luke and Anna; his paternal grandmother Beverly Rohrer (Princeville, Hawaii); and maternal grandparents Lon and Ann Palmer (Hoisington, Kan.). He was predeceased by his grandfather Don Rohrer and maternal great-grandmother, Neta Johnson. Casey’s zest for life will be sorely missed by his aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as his many teachers, therapists, the talented doctors and nurses at UCLA Medical Center, his theater cohorts and his dear friends who had the pleasure of spending time with him over the years.
A Memorial for Casey will be held on March 25 at the Portofino Hotel in Redondo Beach. Memorials have been designated to the Friendship Foundation,https://friendshipfoundation.networkforgood.com/projects/187657-casey-rohrer-memorial-fund and Anchorless Productions, https://www.anchorlessproductions.com/
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, March 26, 2023
