Roger Lee Kitchen

Roger Lee Kitchen was born into the family of William and Norma Kitchen on September 4, 1956, at Swedish American Hospital in Rockford, IL. He was number four amongst five other siblings. He was born with a smile that never left him and personality that drew people in. Roger grew up in a home that was loving and a neighborhood that kept him busy! He was baptized and confirmed at Beth Eden Church. He was very active in Scouting, Sunday school and the youth group at Beth Eden. Roger attended West View Grade School, Roosevelt Jr High School and graduated from West High School in 1974. During his high school years, he joined ROTC and had a newspaper route. During the summers he worked for E-Z Machine Co., which was owned by a wonderful family at his home church, Beth Eden UMC. Roger played in the summer baseball league, at Royal Gayle Park. Soon after graduation, he joined the Navy. He graduated from Great Lakes Naval Base and eventually was stationed at Bremerton Naval Station. He spent time aboard the USS Coral Sea (CV-43) Aircraft Carrier during his employment in the Navy. I believe he began working towards a college degree during this time. Once back home he began his life as a civilian, finding a job, and settling down. He married young and was divorced. He also began to work on and receive his Master's Degree in Computer Science through Cardinal Stritch College.

Roger remarried and became the father of two beautiful daughters, Alicia Ann and Megan Elizabeth. Becoming employed at Dekalb Pfiser Genetics meant a move to Kansas. Being away from his family in Rockford was challenging for him. As life has it, times and circumstances were changing. Divorced again, Roger made the decision to move back home to Rockford. Working for American Family Insurance in Madison WI, for a few years, he left and became employed by the Government at the Federal Bankruptcy Court in Rockford in March 1999. He enjoyed working there and making many new friends. Roger enjoyed cooking, so once a month, or on special occasions he would bring a home cooked meal in for his co-workers to enjoy. Of course, they loved him for that!!

After 20 years, in 2019 an opportunity opened up in the Springfield Federal Bankruptcy Courts, as a Project Coordinator and he was hired. He was now staying in Springfield for the week and coming home on weekends. Working there for about two years, he then made the decision to retire and live a life doing what he wanted to do.

Over all these years, Roger loved the out of doors. Scouting taught him many skills for being in the woods, learning to camp, canoe and fish. His dad and brother (who was also in Scouts), would often accompany him and different scouting trips. Dad had a love for hunting and fishing. He also taught Roger and Bill, and they would go out with him and do their man thing!!

In the early 80's he joined the Kepotah Sportsmans Club, where he could continue hunting and hanging out. After retirement, he took a more active part in maintaining Kepotah, and took every opportunity to hunt during the deer season. There he also used his cooking skills to feed the members. He joined bowling leagues at the B&B bowling alley. Roger was an assistant bowling coach for the Auburn High School girls. He also coaching a kid's bowling league through B&B.

About ten years ago he took an interest in scuba diving and took it on as his new thing to do. He loved to scuba dive, to see all the beauty underneath the water. His daughter Alicia also took up an interest in scuba diving. They enjoyed many trips together relaxing and diving. As he was getting older, he much preferred warmer weather over the cold winters. He would make trips to different places in Mexico, to have the warmth, a drink in hand and be able to go scuba diving. His last trip was to the Fiji Islands.

Roger had a love for camping and would take his girls all around to see God's beauty, often with a his "camping family".

Roger loved his girls "beyond a shadow of a doubt". His time with them, while they were young, was during the summers and on holidays. He tried to make it their best time together. He tried to teach them the best things about life. They also knew how important Roger's family was to them. Grandpa and Grandma Kitchen loved their granddaughters.

A great sadness entered Roger's and Alicia's life, when his daughter Megan died suddenly in 2008. It was a grief that shadowed his heart all these years.

Roger is survived by his daughter Alicia Ann Kitchen, brother William (Bill) (wife Dianna), sisters: Beverly Hopkins, Barbara Stenger, Marsha Bailey, Judy Shannon (Scott). Nieces and nephews included: JoAnne Christianson, Becky Quirk, Carrie Gascoigne, Jamie Kitchen, Ashley Mohr, Riley Shannon, and Keira Shannon. Great nieces and nephews included: Abby, Liam, and Nolan Quirk, Caleb and Bella Gascoigne, Ryan Kitchen and Chase Mohr.

Roger is preceded in death by his beloved daughter Megan Elizabeth Kitchen, his parents, William and Norma Kitchen, and his brother-in-law Charles Stenger.

Writing this and trying to remember Roger's life, dates, details, all the important people who were apart of his life over all the years has been a bit challenging. Apologies if I missed someone, had wrong dates or mixed-up information. It was done with the greatest of love for my brother and for Alicia during this very sad and difficult time.

Roger's sudden passing has left a large hole in many lives, especially his family's. With our faith in a loving God, Roger is now home with those who have gone before us...he is once again whole, no more tears or hurts, only great Joy!

Memorial gifts will be given to Beth Eden UM Church- 3201 Huffman Blvd, Rockford, IL 61103 the Jr Bowling Program at B&B Bowling Lanes, 5626 N. 2nd St, Loves Park, IL 61111 and Kepotah Sportsman Club, W. Winslow Rd, Shirland, IL 61079. (If you have a preference, please specify.)