Roger J. Grassl, 95 of Huntington, passed away on Friday morning November 24, 2023 at Heritage Point of Huntington. After graduation from St Mary’s HS (Menasha, WI) in 1945, Roger attended Michigan Technical University before heeding the call to serve his country by enlisting in the US Air Force in September 1950. Following basic training in Texas, he worked in the field in seismology until being accepted into pilot training in May 1952.
After basic flight instruction at Webb AFB in Texas, Roger was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Further training qualified Roger as a bomber pilot flying in the F-84. By March 1954, Roger completed training that enabled him to serve as a jet instructor pilot, a position he maintained until 1957. The following years saw Roger serve in Japan before coming back to the United States to serve as an instructor in the T-33 aircraft.
In addition to flying, Roger received Air Traffic Controller certification at Kessler AFB, which led him back to Japan for a three-year assignment. After Japan, he was back stateside in New England before starting a three-year role with the RAF in Alconbury, England. Vietnam soon came calling, and Roger found himself serving as Director of Training in Air Force Special Operations. This position also included serving with the US Embassy in Saigon.
Roger’s post-war service led him back in Europe with various roles, most notably as a US military attaché to NATO in Brussels. Upon completion of his assignments across Western Europe, Roger came back to the United States and found his final assignments at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, where he retired from military service in 1976. During his distinguished military career, he achieved the rank of Lt Col and received numerous medals, service awards, and officer commendations.
Roger’s post-military life found him enjoying his days in central Alabama working in real estate and serving a number of various church and other community organizations.
Roger was born on June 8, 1928 in Appleton, Wisconsin. A son of the late William C. and Valeria M. (Rohe) Grassl.
A blind date, set-up by a mutual friend, led to him meeting Joanna Irick from Warren, Indiana. After a long-distance dating relationship, Roger and Joanna were married on November 12, 1988. Roger then relocated to Northeast Indiana and found enjoyment in gardening, home DIY projects, and weekend lake life at Quaker Haven on Dewart Lake near Syracuse. Since Joanna’s passing on April 21, 2018, Roger has lived a relatively quiet life revolving around reading military history, watching numerous Old West movies, and catching his beloved Green Bay Packers on TV.
Survivors include a daughter: Christina (Kenneth) Monk of Eclectic, AL; two step-sons: Troy (Dawn) Irick of Huntington and Todd ( Darla) Irick of Bristol, IN. Seven grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son: Scott C. Grassl, a brother: Norbert H. Grassl and two sisters: Lois A. Grassl and Eunice Fairchild.
Funeral services will take place on Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:00 AM with visitation 1 hour prior at the Myers Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel, 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, Indiana.
Interment will be at Thompson Home Cemetery in Warren, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, preferred Memorials can be made out to Trinity United Methodist Church or Huntington County Humane Society sent in care of Myers Funeral Home 2901 Guilford St., Huntington, IN 46750.
