Jerry DeRosa, the oldest active PGA head professional in the nation, died July 5, four days before his 95th birthday. DeRosa served 55 years as a PGA Professional and at 86 became the oldest PGA Master Professional on June 30, 1999, the same day he was named PGA head professional at Riverbend Golf Club in Tequesta, Fla.

"The amazing thing about my dad was when he found something he loved, he didn't let it go," said Davis DeRosa, 55, a PGA head professional at Lake Mohawk Golf Club in Sparta, N.J. "He loved to teach, and it kept him young."

DeRosa began his golf career as an apprentice at Passaic County Golf Course in Preakness, N.J., in 1948. He was elected to PGA membership in May 1953 and was named PGA head professional at Preakness Valley Golf Course in Wayne, N.J., in 1970. He also taught physical education and golf at Montclair State University for more than 40 years, beginning in 1939.

DeRosa moved to Florida and joined Riverbend Golf Club in 1979. His Master Professional thesis, "The Art of Supervised Group Lessons," typified his work that was magnified many times over at Riverbend Golf Club.

Riverbend Golf Club plans to dedicate a Jerry DeRosa Range and Teaching Facility on its practice area, where DeRosa developed a devoted following for his free clinics.

"Dad was just really very selfless and so giving to others," said Davis.

DeRosa is survived by a daughter, Norma, and her husband Tom Johnson, of Phoenix; three sons, John DeRosa of Arcata, Calif., Rick DeRosa of Tequesta and Davis and his wife, Jane, of Little Falls, N.J.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. His wife of 64 years, Norma, died in 2005.