Roger grew up helping his father in the family’s store, Berky’s Variety. But once he discovered baseball he could more often be found on the ballfield than in the backroom of the store. Despite having a mild limp from childhood polio, he enjoyed and excelled in sports starting with the Boyertown Bears minor league baseball team where he famously hit three home runs in one game. After high school, Roger moved to Philadelphia for business school before joining the Army and serving in Germany as a specialist on these new-fangled “computer” things inside truck trailers. Roger achieved the rank of Specialist (E4) before being honorably discharged.
After the Army, Roger wanted to find more adventure, so he loaded up his Volkswagen Beetle in 1966 and drove across the country from Pennsylvania to Arizona to finish his schooling at ASU. It was there that he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and soon after found the love of his life and future wife Anne Smith. Roger and Anne were married August 28th, 1970, in the Salt Lake City Temple and had five children during the next eight years (David, Daniel, June, Douglas, and Julles). He worked for Salt River Project for over 20 years as a computer programmer and manager. He then worked at Arizona State University as a systems analyst until his retirement in 2006.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints he loved serving and helping others. Roger served faithfully as a bishop, high councilor, cubmaster, scoutmaster, chapel cleaner, home teacher, ward and stake clerk, stake missionary, and service missionary. His favorite calling was being a scoutmaster, especially when his sons were scouts.
Roger taught all of his children to play various sports, who in turn have taught many of their children. As an adult he enjoyed tennis, golf, and bowling. He spent hours in his yard mowing, pruning, and picking fruit from his numerous citrus trees to share with neighbors. He was often heard saying how he was living his dream.
Roger died September 15, 2024, in Mesa, Arizona, surrounded by his family.
He is survived by his wife Anne Smith Berky and five children: David (LaReita) Berky, Daniel Berky, June (Justin) Seegmiller, Douglas (Gena) Berky, Julles Berky; 17 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; 2 granddogs and brother, Randall (Darlene) Berky.
In lieu of flowers please send historical fiction books, See’s Candies gift cards and cases of Mountain Dew to Anne.
