Roger Bernard Huhman

Roger Huhman, 74, of Columbia Missouri passed away peacefully and surrounded by family Sunday, April 4, 2021, after a rapid decline in general health. He is survived by his loving wife Alice (Todd) Huhman; sons, Todd Huhman (Hannah) of Seattle WA, and Jeff Huhman (Lindsey) of Cheyenne WY; 3 grandsons, Camden, McKinley, and Jesse. Other survivors include his brothers and sisters, Fred J. Huhman Jr. (Jacqueline) of Jefferson City, Marian Huhman (David Buchner) of Seattle WA, Joyce Blomberg (Butch) of St. Elizabeth MO, Grace Bogert (James) of Columbia, Jane Franey (Steve) of Portland OR, and David Huhman (Leila) of Columbia. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Zita Huhman of Tuscumbia, MO, and sister, Carol Huhman of Columbia. Many nieces and nephews, and friends in the Columbia area will also remember him fondly.

Roger was born September 4, 1946, on the family farm near Tuscumbia. He attended St. Elizabeth Public Schools and the University of Missouri, Columbia. After graduating from MU, he was drafted into the Army and proudly served in Vietnam and stateside in the Army Security Agency. Upon completing his service to the country, he returned to Columbia where he became a custom cabinet designer for Philips & Co. Every drive through the neighborhoods of Columbia was punctuated by Roger’s comments on the houses for which he had supplied the cabinets and lights. His career at Philips extended 35+ years.

Roger had an innate curiosity about things mechanical and natural. As a young man, he had a talent for finding Indian artifacts in the caves and areas around central Missouri that he explored with his best friend, Dale Doerhoff. He loved to dismantle anything with moving parts - from locks to motorcycles - and restore them to better than before. He was also a skilled woodworker, furnishing his home with items he crafted in his workshop. As his future Eagle Scout sons were growing up, Roger became involved in the Scouts as an adult leader and chef for campouts. Many of the Troop 4 adult leaders enjoyed full-course meals prepared on contraptions he had fabricated.

Roger enjoyed traveling with his family, both nearby with weekend fishing trips to Truman Lake and world-wide on cruises and other excursions. He was always on the lookout for a good deal, and his philosophy of “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without” held him in good stead throughout his life. In his later years, Roger had an informal venture repairing light fixtures and lamps. Many an antique lamp was returned to working order through his efforts.

A visitation will be held Thursday, April 8, 2021 from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held Friday, April 9, 2021 at 10:00 am, both at Memorial Funeral Home, Columbia. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors. The family wishes to thank everyone for their prayers and good thoughts at this time.