Wednesday, September 15, 2021
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To Marsha, Chad and Alan, Your dear husband and father was a great friend to many, many people at St. Angela Academy. Roger was in my graduating class and I have many fun and fine memories of him. For example, for years, day in and day out, Roger "placed" himself at the backdoor to the school, off the back parking lot where most of us parked and came in, and greeted literally everyone, every day! He would always say, "Good morning,(first name of person here)", and smiled the whole time. Seriously, he did this always! And no matter what sort of teenaged angst we were going through at that moment, that smiling, personal greeting from Roger, gave a boost of positivity to us! I know it did for me-he could change a person's outlook with that one simple, yet important, act. At dances, he had a blast! If he did not have a date for a particular event, it mattered not to him-he danced anyway! With abandon and gusto- Roger danced, like no one was watching! And he also did the guys who wanted to leave the dance floor, mid-song, a big favor because he would take over and dance with their date or partner for the evening. He always did this and it was just so much fun to see him having so much fun! Plus, "all the young dudes" seemed to trust him, I believe he remarked. And that was true, too. Roger was a true and kind person, with a wonderful personality and someone I am glad I knew! One time, I was looking for a friends house and got turned around, so I stopped at this beautiful log cabin to ask directions. I knocked, the door was opened but the screen door sort of obscured my view a bit. When I asked for the directions, I heard back, "Hello Terri." And a grin. It was Roger! What fun! He invited me in and showed me that wonderful home that you all had made together. It was charming, beautiful and very comfortable and felt like "home." Marsha, he spoke of you with such love and admiration. He told me of your career then as a nurse anesthetist and I knew you were very, very smart! And when he spoke of the boys, he did so with love and gratitude for Chad and Alan. They were paramount in his life and activities, such as working with the Boy Scouts. Marsha, you made a beautiful home for your family, just lovely and comforting and, well, beautiful! He was so happy and calm and sweet as he ever was. We visited and caught up and it was so nice! He was still the same Roger at heart, friendly, outgoing and now he had a contentedness about him, which I always think of as an impregnable fortress-being content. Then, there was the story he told at school about his father's finger, an accident and the family dog! Wow, that sticks with you! Roger has just gone on too soon to suit me. And the people who loved him, two and four-legged, I send my sincere condolences for a great loss. The cousins who were mentioned, I'm sorry you don't have him with you anymore-although if you listen in your heart, you will hear him. And a 102 year old Aunt, "Miss Eletha", I am so sorry about your nephew's seemingly early departure. As Jesus made sure to tell those who loved him, "I go to prepare a place for you." I think that is what Roger has done. He loves his family so much that he went ahead to show you how to leave and to make preparations for his beloved's. I hope that does not sound too simplistic, but I want to think of him in a positive way, because Roger was always so positive himself. He always laughed, always, smiled, and was very gentlemanly, for all his life. I cannot be there in person, I am sorry to say. This is one funeral that hits close to home and would be there in person if there was a way! However, please know that I am praying for you ALL and promise to keep that up. Oh, and I thought it was so cute and true what Ann R. Ward said, running into him through the years, talking about the blond, wavy hair and both of them chuckling about it. That sounds just right! I pray God would give you whatever it is you need, whenever you need it. It will come when you need it the most, but not before. Be aware-Roger was so aware of people, their feelings and his blessings, which he told me personally that meant-to-be-day when I accidentally knocked on your front door. But there was Roger, saying again, with a smile, "Hello, Terri", like at school, everyday! A sweet man-God bless him. And those he adored, Marsha and "kids". Please distribute hugs among yourself, sent from one of Roger's old friends, Terri Spencer-Williams
