Roger L. Brautigan

Roger L. Brautigan Major General U.S. Army (Retired) Major General Roger L. Brautigan, 70, passed away peacefully at U.C. Davis Hospital in Sacramento, California surrounded by his wife, daughter and two grandsons on September 26, 2016. Major General Brautigan was born in Portland, Oregon but spent his younger years growing up in Billings, Montana, where he excelled in sports. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Arizona, where he lettered in three sports in one year (football, basketball and baseball). Major General Brautigan received his U.S. Army commission following graduation from the University of Arizona in 1969 as a distinguished military graduate. After completion of two years active duty, he remained in the U.S. Army Reserves while earning his master’s degree at UOP. In 1972 he began teaching and coaching at Lincoln High School, in Stockton, California until he returned to the U.S. Army in 1985. Roger loved coaching and remained in contact with numerous athletes. Coach “B” became a mentor to many of these young men. In 1985, Major General Brautigan returned to the U.S. Army. He served in numerous command and staff positions in the continental United States, Vietnam and Germany during his 33 year career until his retirement. Staff assignments included service as a Platoon Leader, 22nd Replacement Battalion; Training, Operations and Battalion Executive Officer assignments with the 91st Training Division; Mobilization Plans Officer, Fort Ord; Inspector General, 125th ARCOM Army Reserve Command; and Chief of Training and Chief of Operations for the Office of the Chief, Army Reserve, in the Pentagon; Senior Reserve Advisor to the Commanding General, United States Army Europe and Seventh Army ; and Director, Mobilization and Reserve Component Affairs, Headquarters, United States European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. He also was a graduate of the Armor, Infantry, and Adjutant General Officer Advanced Courses, Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College. Command assignments included both company and battalion level commands while assigned to the 91st Training Division and command of the 7th United States Army Reserve Command and the United States Army Europe Mobilization Support Center for Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR/GUARD. During Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR/GUARD, 19 of his 22 7TH ARCOM units were mobilized/deployed in support of the United States Army Europe and its major subordinate commands, resulting in his unit being awarded the Army Superior Unit Award for Meritorious performance. His final assignment was Deputy Commanding General, I Corps and Fort Lewis, which he retired from in August 2002. Major General Brautigan’s awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster), the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 oak leaf clusters), the Army Achievement Medal (oak leaf cluster), various service and unit awards, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge. In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed him Undersecretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs. In November 2009, he was appointed Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired from this position in December 2010. He found great satisfaction in taking care of veterans and the challenges they faced, and working with various veterans’ organizations, who are tireless and selfless volunteers themselves. Roger loved sports and played golf every day it was possible. He watched every golf tournament, football, basketball and baseball game whenever his schedule allowed. He mentored many athletes and military personnel assisting them in achieving their ultimate success. He did this tirelessly throughout his life. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Arvie; daughter, Julie Rutherford; two special grandsons, Ty and Max Rutherford; brother Fred, Jr. (Janet) of Billings, Montana; sister-in-law Gerry (Larry) Bilyeu of Washington, sister-in-law Gan Miller of Arizona, and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and cherished friends. His love of country, family and sense of honor and decency are among his many legacies to his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Marie Brautigan and sister, Helen Zeiler. Eternal gratitude is extended to Dr. Paul Waters, Dr. Ginna Laport (Stanford), Caleb Anders, his stem cell donor, and the U.C. Davis team: Dr. Brian Jonas, the Rocklin Infusion Clinic nursing staff and the ICU personnel. A Celebration of Life with military honors will be held Sunday, October 16, 2016 at Brookside Golf and Country Club in Stockton, California from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Gold Coast Veterans Foundation (GCVF), 4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite D, Camarillo, CA 93012. Please sign guestbook at www.deyoungmemorialchapels.com