Rudolph "Ted" Nerlinger

Rudolph "Ted" Nerlinger, of Punta Gorda, FL, passed away in his home on March 18, 2020 with his wife by his side. Ted was a man who led an amazing life and needs no embellishment. He graduated from Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School and enlisted into the Navy to serve his county. After serving in the Navy he attended Penn State. Not long after college, he joined The Harmonville Fire Company in Plymouth Township where he was the Rescue Squad Captain, Commander of the Dive Unit, and Deputy Chief of the Company. He remained a life member of the company. During this time, he also became a part-time Police Officer in Lower Gwynedd Township from 1972-1978.

Additionally, he was a Deputy Warden for the PA Fish and Game Commission during 1970s and 80s. He went on to work in the engineering field, first making aircraft avionics at Narco Avionics in Fort Washington, PA. He went on to work at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia for more than 25 years as a Radiation Therapist. While there, he formed the company CliniTherm. He and his colleagues invented and manufactured hyperthermia cancer treatment equipment to treat breast and other cancers. At the time, this was a revolutionary treatment for cancer, and he would eventually retire and start another company using the CliniTherm equipment in converted motorhomes. This enabled them to bring this treatment to more rural areas and patients who could not get to the city for such treatments. This company was known as Paladin Hyperthermia. (named after the character in the old TV series "Have Gun, Will Travel”.)

Ted loved to fly and earned his pilot’s license. He owned two planes in his life, but his 1947 Piper tail dragger was his pride and joy. He also raced amateur stock cars and boats (Jersey Speed Skiffs) and rode motorcycles. He also bought and restored a 1945 Indian Chief motorcycle.

He eventually joined his second wife Ronnie, who owned a bakery, and worked by her side there for years. He and Ronnie retired to Florida. They bought a boat while still up north and they loved to boat in Cape May and in Florida. It was in Florida that Ted went back to school at the U.S. Coast Guard and received his Captain’s license training where he received his "Six Pack" license. He then became an instructor, teaching young mariners how to be Captains.

During this time, he met members of the Charlotte County Sheriff Marine Unit who introduced him to the Sheriff’s aviation unit. He was recruited to be a Tactical Flight Officer there due to his aviation background. After 9/11, Ted became a sworn Deputy in Florida. At this time, he began full-time with the Sheriff’s Department as a 911 Dispatcher, and was promoted to Corrections Control Room Officer, and Transportation Coordinator. When retired from that, he found that he still had more to offer. He began to work at the local state-owned firing range as a Range Safety Officer. He worked there until the time of his death. Ted also was also a volunteer Officer for the Punta Gorda Police department for several years.

In addition to all his accomplishments, Ted was an accomplished musician. He played the banjo, piano and organ. He also built a pipe organ from scratch in his home back in Pennsylvania.
Ted was survived by his wife Rosemarie ‘Ronnie’ Nerlinger; his children Sandy Nerlinger Croxton of Sanatoga, PA, Thomas Nerlinger of Gilbertsville, PA; his grandson Evan Croxton of Sanatoga, PA and extended family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the American Heart Association and the American Breast Cancer Foundation.  To express condolences to the family and share in celebrating the life of Ted, please visit www.JohnsonTaylorFuneral.com and sign the online guestbook.  Arrangements are by Johnson Taylor Funeral and Cremation.