Roger Allen Sutherland

January 8, 1930 – February 11, 2018

Roger Allen Sutherland (an avid beekeeper and perpetually energetic soul) often quipped, “Don’t tell me to stop burning the candle at both ends, just give me more beeswax.” This philosophy, along with his good humor, virtuous nature, and ability to find great joy and satisfaction in hard work remained with him and inspired all around him throughout his 88 years of vibrant and productive life.

Roger was born on January 8, 1930 in Toledo, Ohio to Farley Allen Sutherland and Estella Marie Dewey. He spent his childhood in Trilby, Ohio, where he began work at a very young age harvesting fruit, delivering newspapers on foot by age 10, and starting his first real job as a straw boss at Brock Farm at age 12. He attended Whitmer High School where he was often the jokester in the classroom. On one occasion, in biology class, he was clowning around. His teacher marched him back to the rear of the room and sat him down in the vacant chair next to Mary Ellis (his future wife) and said, “You sit here and maybe some of the good from her will rub off on you.” It certainly did. Roger and Mary Folger Ellis married April 5, 1952 in Toledo, Ohio and enjoyed nearly 66 years of marriage together.

Roger was always a steadfast and supportive rock for his family. In his life and career, he had an unwavering ability to lead by example. His family and friends admired his drive to be an active lifelong learner and teacher and appreciated his innate ability to practice humility and bring people together. Roger’s captivating storytelling skills, humility and humor put everyone at ease and not only made him an effective leader, but also an impactful citizen, and an all-around wonderful human being. Even in death, his dedication to the betterment of society continued as he donated his body to the University of Michigan Anatomical Donations Program.

Education and service were a theme throughout Roger’s life. He studied at Bowling Green State University (1948-1952), continued his education through the Frank E. Bunts Educational Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, served during the Korean War as a physical therapist for the army at Army-Navy Hospital in Hot Springs, Ark., and Valley Forge Army Hospital in Phoenixville, Penn. (1953-1955), and earned two master’s degrees (Education and Biology) from the University of Michigan. He had a 34-year career as a biology educator, beginning at Allen Park High School in 1957. In 1964, he became the first biology and botany teacher and chairperson of the biology department at Schoolcraft College. During his 27 years at Schoolcraft, teaching anatomy and physiology to nursing students was his primary focus, he started the nation’s first human cadaver program at a community college, was twice named “Educator of the Year,” began what would become a 51-year passion for beekeeping, and left a wonderful legacy of generosity.

He was the ultimate volunteer, and gave freely of his gifts and time as leader for the Boy Scouts (Troop 30 Dixboro), 4-H, SE Michigan Beekeepers Association (34 years, including roles as vice president and president), Michigan Beekeepers Association (30+ years as a board member), Michigan and Washtenaw Audubon Society leader (23+ years, including service as president and receipt of a lifetime achievement award from the Washtenaw chapter in 2003), Michigan Botanical Society, Naturalist Camera Club of Toledo (15+ years), and Huron Valley Michigan Botanical Club (7 years). Roger also served as a frequent nature program presenter for large numbers of classrooms, clubs, and church groups. He and Mary conducted countless classes on wildflowers, maple syrup, beekeeping and led many nature walks and excursions for various organizations over the years. Outside of advocacy for nature, Roger also made time to pause and enjoy the natural environment with family and friends as a fishing and canoeing enthusiast.

A notable example of Roger’s unbelievable energy was his dedication to walking 3 miles every day since he experienced a heart attack in February 1992. For the past 22 years, Roger has consistently continued this ritual (with several forced breaks due to medical issues over the years), all the while collecting recyclables along the side of the road. He collected an awe inspiring $10,712.40 worth of can deposits during this time.

Roger and Mary have been influential members of their local community since moving to Warren Road in 1967. Roger was instrumental in advocating for Warren Road to become a designated Natural Beauty Road. He also expressed his ingenuity on his property and in his workshop over the years by creating and cultivating an incredible flower and vegetable garden year after year, breaking custom nature trails for each of his 12 grandchildren, building and maintaining a co-op honey house, and creating an elaborate sunken garden and a custom greenhouse, among many other interesting projects, including what he refers to as his “25-year woodworking project” of creating 12 sets of keepsake train cars for each of his grandchildren (132 total train cars).

Roger’s legacy and passion for family, science, and creativity lives on in his wife Mary, their five children and their spouses, Marie Powers, Stephen Sutherland (Christie), Ellen Neal (Mike), Anne Curtis (Barry), and Peter Sutherland (Mary Caplon), 12 grandchildren, Jeffrey and Forrest Powers, Kenneth, Daniel, and Jacob Neal, Laurel Truax, Lindsay Sutherland Gvakharia, David Sutherland, Kayla and Jessica Curtis, Whitney and Laura Sutherland, one great grandson, Asa Neal, and countless other beloved friends and family members. He is preceded in death by his parents, Farley and Estella, and his siblings Jeanette Eloise Sutherland and Charles Albert Sutherland.

A memorial service will be held at Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan in the Sutherland Room on April 8, 2018 1-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Schoolcraft College Foundation.