Dan Peters writes:
I knew Roger for over 40 years. It was Roger who welcomed me to my very first Beacon Hill clinic in 1980. He was one of the most prolific “idea men” I ever knew in the NMRA hierarchy. He was a fun guy to be around.
. . .
He was an ordained clergyman for the Seventh Day Adventist denomination.
When he retired from being a clergyman, he went back to college and completed his PhD in Education.
His “other” hobby besides model railroading, was woodworking. He had a complete cabinet-and-furniture-making wood shop at his house.
He was very active in all levels of the NMRA hierarchy.
He attended the Beacon Hill Clinic ( across from the Veterans Hospital ) without fail every month, and was the unofficial “greeter” at the door, in this way he learned every person by name.
Roger was also a frequent clinic presenter, and “entertainment” presenter. ( At that time, all 3 clinics included both a “clinic” session, followed by a social hour, and then an “entertainment” session. ) He also presented clinics at the Pacific Science Center, and at PNR and National conventions.
He was 4th Division superintendent in the 1980’s and 90’s.
While he was superintendent, he started the module program in 1988. He also started the “video library” which was originally on VHS tapes, and was later replaced by DVD disks. The library was maintained by Bob Smith, at that time the official PNR librarian, and was brought to every clinic, every month. ( There were 3 monthly clinics at that time, Beacon Hill in Seattle, Tacoma Junior College in Tacoma, and the East Side Get Together in the Kirkland Library. )
Following multiple terms as 4th Division superintendent, Roger won the “Man Of The Year” award in 1987. Roger objected to the award being called “Man Of The Year”, because several women had already won the award, so Roger was instrumental in having the name of the award changed in subsequent years to the gender-neutral “Golden Grab Iron Award”.
After his terms as superintendent, Roger went on to Membership chairman, and he remained on the 4th Division Board.
From 4th Division, Roger “graduated” to PNR superintendent. I believe he also won “Man Of The Year” at the PNR level. While PNR superintendent, Roger was convention chair for the PNR convention in Spokane.
From there, Roger served on the national board of directors for the NMRA.
Besides his official duties connected to the NMRA, because of his being frequently called on to conduct funeral services, Roger also helped family estates dispose of model railroad collections. This led him to becoming a frequent vendor at area Swap Meets.
Besides his home layout in HO, Roger was also an active member in the Swamp Creek Club, which built a layout in the Edmonds Amtrak Station, in what had been the baggage room.
He was the manager of the annual Swamp Creek Club swap meet, held every September in the gym of the original Scriber Lake High School in Edmonds. ( The school’s previous location, since demolished. )
Unlike many modelers, Roger did not model a single prototype railroad. His travels with the clergy, and with the NMRA board, took him all over the country, and so he modeled individual trains from many different railroads, instead of specializing in just one or two railroads.
From this notice I learn from his passing. I visited him a few times when he was at the nursing home. I had some ideas that we talk about. He was a great friend, and I help him in projects that he was trying to do. Tom Madden
I first met Roger in 1992 at the PSC show. I signed up as a member that day. It was Roger who helped me become a life member. When I took on being membership chairman, Roger was very supportive and showed me the ropes. When I became Divison Superintendent and then PNR President, he was always available to give me advice based on his experiences. I worked very closely with Roger during the planning of tours and scheduling for PSX 2004. I always enjoyed Roger when he brought the mart to the eastside clinic. Always had great goodies for sale. Through the years, he would share stories about his life growing up and the common thread we had when I moved to Walla Walla, as his family was very active in the Seventh Day Adventist College there (Walla Walla University). Roger will be greatly missed. I can say I learned a lot about the hobby from him. Fly with the angels.
As a special recollection, back in the days before DCC and radio control were common Roger persuaded me in his best style to convert a large scale locomotive to battery power with radio control via a model aircraft system. To the amazement of those present – and his great amusement – he then ran this “off rail” (on the floor) at a meet in the Edmonds Frances Anderson Center. Wonder where the loco got to?
Max Maginness