Roger Louis Humphrey

Roger L. Humphrey, 77, died Tuesday June 19, 2007, at St. John’s Hospice. Rog requested the following as his obituary: “Roger Humphrey was born July 27, 1929, in Springfield, did stuff and died.” Rog’s family could not be so succinct. Roger was the son of Grace I. and Louis J. Humphrey, and a life-long resident of Springfield. He attended Butler Elementary School, Western Military Academy, and graduated from Springfield High School in 1947. He also attended Wesleyan University and Bradley University. Roger married Constance Ruth Hathaway on June 2, 1951, at Christ Episcopal Church. Roger served in the Army during the Korean Conflict, where he was a radio operator and played trombone in the Army Band. He was a systems analyst with the State of Illinois, retiring in 1992. While Roger was a natural at computer programming and enjoyed his work, his true loves were his family and his music. Roger was a jazz musician and performed for many years in Springfield and Central Illinois. In 1966, his band, Three’s a Crowd, had a local hit record with his composition “Makin’ Do.” Roger is survived by his wife, Connie, four children: Bridget (Bree) Humphrey and Robin Humphrey Bundy, of Arizona; Louis Humphrey (wife Diana Ritchison) of Springfield; and Kate Humphrey (husband, Mark Beason) of California; two grandchildren, Yari Bundy, of Arizona, and Aleta Lanier, of Modesto, Illinois, and several nieces and nephews, including the Hathaway family of Springfield and the Dwyer family of New York. Visitation will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. with services at 3:00 p.m., Friday, June 22nd, at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 2nd Street and Lawrence Avenue, with Father Gus C. Franklin officiating and Deacon Martha Bradley, homilist. A reception will follow at the Sangamo Club, 227 E. Adams, St. Springfield. Cremation accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to: Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 815 S. 2nd St., Springfield, Illinois 62704. The family of Roger L. Humphrey is being served by Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.