Roger Arnold Nunnenkamp

Roger Arnold Nunnnenkamp was born in Cairo, Nebraska to parents William and Freda (Pollock) Nunnenkamp on May 6, 1939. When Roger was in the 4thgrade, his family moved to Superior, Nebraska. Roger had five brothers: Hollis, Glen, Lloyd, Wayne, William Jr., and; and two sisters: Wanda and Eva. He was raised on a farm and was a FFA member in High School. In his teen years, Roger did many different kinds of work – he was skilled at farming irrigation and also did some plumbing and air conditioning work. He also worked at a hardware store and for Blue Cross Serum Co. Roger graduated with Superior High School class of 1957.

On January 5, 1958, Roger exchanged wedding vows with his high school sweetheart, Norma L. Warren. The two were wed in Olive Hill Church, Jewell County, Kansas. In 1960, Roger and Norma along with their first child, Randall answered a call to come to Portland, Oregon and start a new chapter in their lives. Roger’s brother offered Roger employment with SP&S Railroad. The three first settled near Jantzen Beach in North Portland where they lived very simply in a trailer gifted by Norma’s Parents that was delivered from Kansas. In 1963, the family moved into a newly built home in Hillsboro OR that is still the family home to this day – 50 years later. Roger and Norma had two more children – sons, Douglas and Blaine.

Roger was a loving husband and father. He was involved in his son’s lives and he enjoyed working on old cars with his boys. The boys were allowed cars as long as they would disassemble and work on them. The family share many fond memories of time together in the outdoors and camping at Coos Bay, Sand Lake and riding their three-wheelers. Roger was a Cub Scouts Cub master when his boys were in scouts. They were members of Calvary Lutheran Church.

Roger and Norma loved to travel in their motorhome together and made many memorable voyages. They visited his brothers in California; they saw Arizona, Texas, and Canada just to name a few places they explored together. No matter which path they chose, the final destination was always home in Nebraska and Kansas to reunite with family. The two annually attended the “cousins” reunion in Mankato, Kansas and another special reunion in Nebraska.

In May of 1998, Roger retired as a carman after 39 years of railroad service. He first served SP&S which merged with BN, which later merged with BNSF.

Roger will be remembered as generous, kind, warm, and well respected by his family, friends, and co-workers. He was a great storyteller and will also be remembered for his unique sense of humor. His trademark greeting was “Good Morning” – no matter what time of day it was.

Roger is predeceased by his parents William and Freda; son, Randall; brothers Lloyd, Glen, and Hollis; sister, Eva Nelson, and step-brother, Galen Grummert.

Survivors include his loving wife of 55 years, Norma; sons, Douglas (Crystal), and Blaine (Laurie); daughter-in-law Mary Nunnenkamp (wife of deceased son, Randall); brothers, William Jr. and Wayne; sister, Wanda Rauert; step-brothers, Milvern and Eldrick Grummert; eight grandchildren, Kimberly, Jeremy, Brett, Sara, Nichole, Adam, Carrie, and Grace; and two great-grandchildren, Ayiana and Jenessa.

A graveside service will be held in Skyline Memorial Gardens, 4101 NW Skyline Blvd, Gate #2, Portland, Oregon, on Thursday, May 23rd, 2013, at 11am.

Please visit Roger’s Internet memorial and online guestbook atwww.skylinememorialgardens.com

Remembrances may be made to the Randall Lee Nunnenkamp Scholarship Foundation:

www.facebook.com/rlnfoundation, www.rlnfoundation.org