Rooney L. Coffman

In Loving Memory of Rooney Lee Coffman

Rooney Lee Coffman, a beloved mentor, photographer, historian, and longtime steward of St. Andrews in Laurinburg, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at  3:30 p.m. July 21, 2026 at the age of 79 surrounded by family members.

Rooney came to St. Andrews Presbyterian College from Timberville, Virginia in the fall of 1964. He graduated in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a teaching certificate. That same year, he joined the staff of St. Andrews, beginning an extraordinary 57-year career that continued until the university closed in May 2025.

As Director of Logistics and Instructor in Science Laboratories, Rooney managed the laboratories, scientific equipment, supplies, and countless details that supported generations of students and faculty. He also mentored student laboratory assistants, whom he affectionately called his “elves,” along with trusted after-hours supervisors known as the “A’s and B’s.” Many of those students went on to successful careers in medicine, science, education, and business.

In 1974, Rooney and the Science Faculty established a Science Olympiad, which has grown nationwide. He later served for decades as Regional Director of the Laurinburg tournament and was honored for his lasting contributions to science education.

In 1985, Rooney formally became Director of Photography at St. Andrews. Over the next 40 years, he documented the people, traditions, milestones, and beauty of St. Andrews. His photographs became an invaluable visual history of the institution. In 2024, the St. Andrews Alumni Council published a book of his work, Capturing St. Andrews: A Photo Journey, by Rooney Coffman.

Rooney received numerous honors, including the St. Andrews Distinguished Merit Award, the Dr. Jason L. Painter Distinguished Service Award, and the National Association of Scientific Materials Managers’ Manager of the Year Award. He was a member of the American Chemical Society for more than half a century. 

Following the university’s closure, Rooney helped preserve decades of scientific, photographic, and historical materials and continued serving the St. Andrews community as a founding member of the St. Andrews Legacy Foundation.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Coffman Whetzel and his step father, Simon H. Whetzel. He is survived by brother, Carl Dusty Whetzel, along with generations of students, colleagues, alumni, and friends whose lives he touched.

A celebration of Rooney’s life will be held on Sunday July 26 at 3pm at The Wallace Wedding & Event Venue, 29764 Aberdeen Rd, Wagram, NC 28396. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Andrews Legacy Foundation. https://standrewslegacyfoundation.org/  or the Habitat for Humanity of Scotland County.

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