Roger Edward King

Roger E. King, 89, of Corvallis passed away on Dec. 13, 2013. Roger was born on Feb. 28, 1924, in Holyoke, Mass. He served in World War II as a paratrooper, and got his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from University of Northern Colorado. He met Helen at a Valentine’s Day dance, and she will always be the love of his life. They married on Aug. 5, 1951, in Mitchell, S.D. His teaching career started in Truth or Consequences, N.M., followed by Denver, Colo., where son Jeff arrived. They moved from Denver to a small town in the West — Corvallis, which had 16,000 people at the time. Laurie, Curt and Brad more fully established the King family. Roger was graciously offered a job teaching in the Oregon State University English Department, where he was a professor for 34 years. Over the years, when he’d run into former students, they were quick to say he was a favorite, particularly if they had his 7:30 a.m. class. It was hard to wake up for, but not so bad with Roger greeting the students with a dance, poem or uplifting story. He was a positive spirit, making each day count. Roger foremost enjoyed gardening and the home was filled with beautiful arrangements. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Roger and Helen enjoyed their bridge group and close friends. Roger was a founding father and president of the OSU Federal Credit Union. He was an avid supporter of the ARC of Benton County, the Old Mill Center, and Vina Moses Center, and served on their boards of directors. He was a member of First United Methodist Church and the Corvallis Elks Lodge. An avid tennis player, he loved fishing in the Alsea, and took up golf the day he retired. He enjoyed golfing with the TIMS Group (an acronym for the Turf Inspection and Marching Society). He was a poet, and always had a smile for everyone, making them feel warmly welcomed. He was a blossoming entrepreneur. His life was that of a caregiver, from his own mother to his son and lovingly to his wife. In the last year, he wrote and published a book, “The Hugging Adventures of an Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” not only as a tribute to his wife of 62 years but as a legacy to support other caregivers in all situations. Roger inspired acquaintances, friends, doctors, etc. with his hug book and the 13 love songs created just for Helen. He is survived by his wife, Helen; Jeff and Susie King of Corvallis; Laurie and Dennis King of Florence; Curt and Janelle King of Corvallis; his grandchildren, Justin, Ryan, Courtney, Kyle and Liam King; and sister-in-law, Florence Althen of Mount Vernon, S.D. He traveled the world but always was ready to be home, and now he is. “I am part of all that I have met” (from Tennyson’s poem “Ulysses”). By his request, a family-only service will take place. In honor of Helen and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (or another choice would be to the ARC), and thanks you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

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Roger Edward King

February 28, 1924 - December 13, 2013