A few of us from the KW swim teams in the early 70s are working on a project to honor our coach and one of us came across the news of Roger's death. He was a really good guy and a really good teammate. Looking at this site, he lived a wonderful life with a beautiful family. Oh - I used to spend my summers at Silver Bay ("Sandmere" maybe?) where my grandparents had a cottage. What I wouldn't give to have that back in the family! I wonder if I ever ran into Roger on the beach as a kid?

When it came time for my first real job interview, he taught me more in 2 hours than I learned in 4 years of college. I'm endlessly thankful that my job brought me to Arizona a few months ago and I had the chance to buy him lunch and thank him for everything. 

Smiling, upbeat Roger is the only other graduate (besides my sister, June) who I remember from our graduation day at the football stadium at Michigan State University. Jump forward 40 years to meeting up with him again at my neice's wedding in Dallas. Still smiling, still warm and charming as ever, he greeted me as though we were life-long friends. The world will miss such a special man.

The Peterson family have been wonderful neighbors since we moved to Arizona 8 years ago.  Roger always took the time during his frequent walks to talk with us about boating, his place in Canada, and his children.  He welcomed us when we moved to the neighborhood and was a large part of our street’s character.  We shared some really good HOA battle stories!  
It was clear that Roger’s world revolved around Jill and his family, and he inspired us to raise our children with the primary goal of developing close family bonds.  Looking through this memorial and seeing all pictures certainly reinforces this perception that Roger was a wonderful husband and father.   We will certainly miss Roger and we’re genuinely thankful for his inspiration.


I had the pleasure of getting to know Roger on a professional level for the last several years and knew a man who had a real, genuine interest in other people. Even in a business setting, Roger was always quick to ask about you and your family and common interests shared. He had a natural gift for being present and always seemed to be "in the moment" regardless of the topic of discussion. He was also a great story teller! And one thing for sure is that he loved his family dearly, and never missed an opportunity to talk about how great his kids were and how much he cherished his wife. He will be missed but his impact on the lives of others will never fade. 

Roger may God bless you with life everlasting...
I didn't get to know Roger when we were all at MSU.  Soon after I found out he was to marry my best friend, only to hope he was good enough to be her husband. As the years passed I found that not only was Roger devoted to Jill, but his children as well.  I always admired Roger, hardworking and successful, yet showed great respect and sang praises about his stay at home wife and mother.  As for his children, he couldn't always be at each event,  but he was a DAD, proud of each on of them all for their different talents and individual character.   
Each time I would see Roger, he had a great smile, filled with laughter, always welcoming, and had the gift of gab!  So much so, it was hard for Jill and I to break away for some girl time.  But he never minded when we did. Roger was ambitious and loved life, and I am glad he and Jill  had time to see parts of the world together.
Roger I will miss you dearly.  All my heart goes out to you Jill, Lin, Mike, Ross, Reed and Grant.  You are my extended family and I pray you can find comfort and peace in the memories you shared.
From our family, Ralph, Alexis, Nick, and myself,
                          May his memory be Eternal!                Love Phyllis


I met Rog some years ago in SoCal as part of the networking process looking for new jobs.  Turned out we both lived in the Lake Forest, CA area at the time prior to Rog and the family moving to Anthem.  The networking process turned into a friendship.  I always looked forward to Rog making the drive in to attend our little group’s networking meetings.  The fact that he would make that trip was indicative of what kind of colleague and friend he was.  Rog was in SoCal for an appointment just a couple of weeks prior to his passing and called me to see if I could meet him for coffee.  Unfortunately I had a prior commitment and could not make it.  I will forever regret not seeing my good friend that one last time.  I am honored to represent our little SoCal group at Rog’s service.  RIP brother.  You will be missed.  But your legacy will live on in your family and the many friends and others you have touched.

Roger

To us he was a wonderful brother-in-law, uncle, best friend, mentor, advisor and someone we could always count on! 
Gone too soon but remembered forever and ever! 

Love,
Paul, Jeanette, Joseph and Jenna❤️

My words of sympathy are but an echo in the void that is left where Roger once lived.   Even my heartfelt words seem hollow compared to the loss of Roger -- who was so vibrant, so full of life, so full of love, and so full of personality!

I know how much Roger meant to Mark; I can only imagine how much he meant to Jill, Lindsay, Mike, Ross, Grant, and Reed.  I hope you will reminisce often, relishing and savoring your many shared memories.  My wish for you is that those memories bring laughter -- the kind of boisterous, energetic laugh that was one of Roger's hallmarks.   He will be laughing right along with you ... 

It is truly our loss that we never got to meet Roger; however, we learned what a fabulous husband and father he was from his son,  Ross,  who has dated  our daughter, Leah, for several years. The quality of his son’s character and his capability are certainly a reflection of the type of parent and role model Roger  was.  Our condolences to Jill, Mark,  Ross and the entire Peterson family.

Roger was full of life. You could walk into a crowded room and before you even saw him you would know he was there. His perpetual smile and frequent jokes would keep everyone around him happy (though some of his jokes were fairly lame they kept us laughing anyway). While Roger's positive attitude was one of his strong attributes, his major strength was his confidence. Roger was always confident he could resolve any challenge he, or anyone else, was faced with. Whether it was a house/car purchase/repair, boat/seadoo issue, financial/business issue, or personal challenge, Roger was always confident he could resolve all these issues (and usually did). Family and friends turned to him for help with their own challenges because they knew he would be willing and able to provide the guidance necessary to help them overcome those challenges. Roger was highly respected by all who knew him. He was a loving husband, brother, father and most of all friend. Roger enriched our lives in so many ways his presence will be sorely missed.

    I think I first met Roger around 1987.He was the husband of my wife's best friend Jill.My first impression was that he was polished,intelligent,and devoted to Jill and his soon to be growing family.Over the years,seeing Jill and Rog was like time lapse photography.Campfires on the beach in California,or the cottage in Ontario.As time went by,and the kids turned into adults,we'd meet them for lunch or dinner occasionally.Roger,I know Phyllis and Nick (my son) did,but I don't think I ever thanked you for coaching Nick going into his first job interview out of school.He got the job,thanks to you,and I'm glad he had the chance to meet you for dinner in Arizona a few months ago.I know you'll be missed by many,my friend!

We are going to miss Roger here at C&R Tire. Every time he came in, he would brighten up the room with his personality. He was and always will be remembered here as family to all of us! You will be missed, Roger! Till we meet again! We will watch out for the family, Roger! You can count on us to keep them safe!
Love,
Lonnie, Josh, Cheyenne, Luke, & Eddie

A couple of things that will always stick with me about Roger is that he always made you feel comfortable around him and always had something nice to say about you. For instance, at our wedding, he thought I had a cool last name and was one of the first ones to welcome me to the family. Ten years ago, I got to hang out with Roger quite a bit in Texas, crashing at our Brother-n-Law’s Paul house as we both just started new jobs down there in Houston. As we were batching it – boating and jet skiing on the weekends, eating out every other night, our wives Jan and Jill were holding down the fort in MI and AZ, taking care of everything, the house, kids, etc. and letting us know what we left them with. This venture was not supposed to be fun, but it was. I remember the one time we both went over to Mark’s house, what was left of it, as it was just bull dozed due to the flooding from Hurricane Ike in 2008. Drinking beer and throwing rocks at the destruction, what a party! Roger also knew about the 99 cent Sundaes at Sonic after 8:30, that became quite a habit. Those were fun times back then. Lots of good conversation and discussions about life and our careers. Boy, was Roger a talker! That is the other thing about him, he loved to talk! You could barely get two words in or ‘but’. I will miss you my friend, my brother-n-law. I think about you every day. It is not fair - you left us too soon. I am sure you are busy now chewing in God’s ear.

Joe Palace    


The other day we saw a Red Cardinal in our yard. You might ask what is the significance? Many people believe when a cardinal lands in your yard, an angel is near. Cardinals can remind you of a departed loved one and are known as the most notable spiritual messenger. Let me tell you, that Cardinal would not stop chirping. Joe and I smiled knowing that it was Roger, stopping by to say hello.

Jan & Joe Palace

I felt honored to have Roger as my brother-n-law, he treated me like a little sister. He was a great husband and father, spent quality time with Jill and the kids and strived to be a loving role model. He had such a deep love for the entire family, especially his love for Jill. Let me share one of my texts with him:

Roger:  Jill just made chocolate zucchini bread and 2 jars of dill pickles. She is a crazy woman.
Janet:  Yummy. You lucked out marrying her.
Roger:  Warren Buffet said to be happy your first choice, has to be the correct wife...I got lucky.

We’re all blessed to have Roger in our lives and he will be greatly missed.

Jan Palace


Dearest Jill, family and Mark. 
From the Narlis Family 
Erica,Eleni. Cleo, Annastasia and I please accept our deepest condolences.
As our Neighbors and friends and many pets shared we will never forget the kind soft and gently soul of Rog.

Thank you for ur kindness and introducing your beautiful family to us. 
We had the best years of our life in Athem.  

Often Roger and I said that we lived in Disney world as we were blessed to have know good people and have neighbors we can trust.
Kids playing in the streets and bomb fires at our street events and putting up Christmas and Halloween decorations followed by a cold beer.
The Christmas cookies and good times will be cherished.  

 We so sorry we won't see him again in Athem but I know we will all see him in Heaven some day. 

Wishing you and the family strength during this time. 

Will light a candle here in Greece for Rog to meet up with my Mom in Heaven.  

Xxx xxx


Jonny


 


To the Peterson family we are so saddened to hear of the passing of Roger. 
 We were very lucky to have intermittent social gatherings with Roger and also once with Jill when he/they passed through Houston to visit his brother Mark. What a bright light he was to his brother Mark. 
May your loss ease with time, but his memory last a lifetime.

I am so shocked and saddened by the loss of Roger.  He was part of our beach family and irreplaceable. I have so many memories of Roger—I’ve known him all my life. From boating on the lake to just hanging out on the beach, he was part of “summer”. I’ll always remember Roger as a fiercely loyal person—as a husband, father and friend, he was an unrelenting supporter and advocate.  
My heart goes out to Jill, Mark, Lindsay and the boys—he was taken much too soon.  I’m sorry I won’t be able to attend the memorial in person but hope to see you all again soon at Silver Bay. 

I’m sure I knew Roger just about the least amount of time as most posting on here, only about ten years, so take my post accordingly; having said that, he was the most unwaveringly confident person I ever met, and it wasn’t even close. You wanted to talk about something, anything, Roger had a strong opinion - a quality that lacks in most people nowadays.

As for my memory, I sat next to Roger and Jill at Nick Delmonte’s wedding reception and I gave Roger a hard time about finding and tricking such a lovely woman into marrying him; Roger freely admitted how lucky he was.

I first got acquainted with Roger in 2004 when we were both in the process of looking for a new job.  In addition to sharing a common professional background, we had similar values and life experiences so we hit it off right away, and our friendship has steadily strengthened in the years since.     

Roger is outgoing and ebullient, with an ever-present smile and a quick laugh.  A real talker.  But he is also a great listener, and he and I have had many long conversations about our profession, our colleagues, politics, current events, and our families.  

Roger's family was central to him as well as an endless source of pride for him.  He frequently bragged about his wife and kids, and I was often briefed about the academic, athletic, or career milestones of each of the five kids.  He also often talked about his brother and spending summers with their families at the cottage on the lake in Canada.  I often felt like a vicarious adopted cousin.

Roger’s easy-going style puts people at ease.  I knew him to have intellectual gravitas and seriousness when appropriate, but I never saw him angry, sad or depressed.  He seems to be eternally energetic and upbeat.  

With frequent contact over the years, I grew to consider him to be among my very closest and dearest friends.  I am still in shock and grieving but will always remember Roger with a smile and a warm place in my heart.  A good man gone way too soon, but with an enduring legacy of family, friends, and colleagues who love and respect him dearly.  Rest in peace Brother.  I was blessed to know you.  I and our informal  group of SoCal HR Geezers miss you dearly.


Roger, besides being the brother of one of my two best friends in the whole world, Mark (the other being my wife Bonnie), was a great person, brother, son, husband, and father.  When I think about Roger I can't think of anything negative as he had it all.  A great childhood, a terrific career, and a wonderful family which was the most important thing in his life.  His wife Jill and their five kids never wanted for anything and were always supported to the utmost degree by Roger and Jill.  Roger was smart, hard working, a great provider, full of life, and funny (I can still hear his distinctive laugh in my head).  He may not be physically with us any longer, but he will live in my heart, and the heart of a great many people, forever.

I met Roger and Jill when they attended a financial workshop I was giving at their kids' high school in Anthem in 2005.  We had a lot of common interests and I remember to this day how enjoyable it was guiding Roger and family through the college planning process. As we kept in touch, we did other business together along the way.   Roger had an awesome work ethic that kept us in touch a lot, but I so much enjoyed his stories, his smiles and laughter every time we talked on the phone or met for beers.  He always updated me on Jill, Lindsay, Ross, Michael, Grant and Reed and always asked about my family too.  It was evident that he was a loving father and caring husband.  The news of Roger passing flat out sucks as we did not get together for our next beer hour, and so many other fun things we talked about doing.  I really miss him. 

I was happy to get to know Rog these last few years.  I appreciated deeply what a good husband he was to my friend Jill and loved hearing about their many adventures together.  I had the best day with Jill and Rog two winters ago, skiing at Snowbowl,  and I loved his enthusiasm about skiing...... and everything else!  He was fun to be around and his energy will be greatly missed.  

I'm so sorry to hear of Roger's passing. My condolences to everyone in his family.  Roger was a very special person to me, Val and Rick, and everyone in our family. I had the good fortune and fond memories of spending many happy summers many years ago with both Roger and Mark in Silver Bay Canada.  They were special times that you never forget. I offer my prayers for special blessings for Roger and his family.  Sincerely, Donna Swierczewski (formerly Ferraro).

OBITUARY

Roger James Peterson

September 26, 1954 – July 2, 2020

Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center

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