problems, and talk to people, excelling at all three. Dad grew up a Jersey kid, and did his
undergraduate work at Stevens Institute of Technology, not far from his home in Chatham, NJ.
From a young age, Dad learned to build and tinker with all sorts of things, and he would expand
on these skills his whole life. After his undergraduate, he went straight for a PhD in metallurgy
from the University of Florida, where he specialized in electron microscopy and computer
modeling of atomic structures. It was there he met the love of his life, Judy. They spent the next
52 years rarely apart, a love story for the ages.
Dad loved to work. He worked for IBM managing the materials lab, first in Endicott, NY, then at
RTP, for 30 years. He retired and promptly went on to his next adventure, working at NC State
with the Institute for Maintenance Science and Technology in the Materials Engineering
Department. He finally retired in 2011, but went straight to work on woodworking projects.
Nights and weekends, Dad worked, assisted by Judy, building fine furniture. This craft allowed
full expression of their incredible attention to detail, aesthetic sense, and unrelenting
commitment to quality. Together, they collaborated on bookcases, desks, tables, chairs, an
incredible gilded frame. As a result, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews have furniture
to treasure. He has been active in the Triangle Woodworkers Association for many years. For
the last 5 years he and Judy have led a group in their annual “Toys for Tots” initiative,
producing handmade wooden toys for disadvantaged kids. Any spare time they had was filled
with being an active part of their grandchildren’s lives.
Roger is survived by his loving wife, Judy, of 52 years, his daughter Carla and her husband Jay
Helms and their wonderful family, which includes 4 grandchildren: Anna, David, James and
Roger, as well as his son Paul and his wife Sarah Haskins. Also, his sister Diane Lewish and
her three children and grandchildren. He and Judy have a big extended family, for which they
have always been grateful.
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