Roger passed away on Saturday the 26th of September with two very important people in his life beside him, Conny, his wife of almost fifty-four years, and his daughter Belinda. He was especially proud of his grandkids and a few weeks earlier, on his seventy-sixth birthday, they all called him. He told them to make good choices in the future and continue to be good people.

“God has other plans for me,” he said, “and I have to say goodbye to you all.”

Roger was born on September 9, 1939 in Seattle. Six years later his parents Phebe and Walt moved to Orcas Island and settled at Doe Bay on a 154-acre farm. Roger learned early in life that living on the island was a lot of work and very little time to play. The Congdon’s had the best milk with the thickest cream on top. Before school Roger and his brother Bruce had to milk the cows and then run to the fire hall to catch the school bus which taught them good work ethics. When he was asked in his last days” what would you like to be remembered for,” he said: ” a nice guy, always helpful, always helpful.”

Roger joined the military in 1958 was stationed in Japan and then in Germany, where he met Conny, marrying her a year later. Daughter Karin (Becker of Orcas Island) was born in Germany before they returned to Orcas Island. Jobs were scarce so he reenlisted in the service and was then assigned to France. The highlight of that deployment was the birth of their daughter Belinda (Button of Port Townsend.) Roger remained in the military, and with his wife and two beautiful daughters was stationed in Nevada ( with two tours of duty in Vietnam) and California. After that, he received the best assignment of his lifetime, a posting to the Netherlands for eight years. After a short stay in Florida, they returned to Orcas Island, where Roger was postmaster in Deer Harbor for twenty-two years, loving every moment of it.

A memorial to his life will be held at the American Legion Hall on Orcas Island.