Roger Reger

Roger Glenn Reger (aka: Rodger von Hohbein Regers, Rodger the Dodger, Dad and Grandpa) died March 18th, 2012 at his home in Redondo Beach, CA, succumbing to liver cancer.

Roger was born on February 26th, 1933 in Morton County, ND, the first of three sons to the parents of Art and Hilda Reger. He was raised in Eldridge, ND where his parents owned the Reger General Store, in which the family lived above on the 2nd floor. He attended the Eldridge School until the 9th grade when it closed, and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1951.

He joined the Navy in 1952 where he served in the Korean War in Japan and elsewhere abroad. He received his BA and first of two Masters Degrees in Administration and Special Education at the University of Texas in Austin in 1960. From there, he attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor where he received his second Master’s Degree. He received his PhD in Psychology and Special Education from Eastern Michigan University at Ypsilanti in 1967.

Mr. Reger worked as Director, Special Educational Services, for the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) for Erie County in Buffalo, NY, and later as school psychologist for the Niagara Falls school system. He served previously as school psychologist in the Wayne, Michigan, Community School system (1963-65) and as psychologist at the Wayne County Training School in Northville, Michigan (1960-63). He wrote and co-authored three books in his field of specialty – paving the way for a new outlook on school psychology and developmental education.

He lived in the Western NY area where he helped to raise his three children, until he moved to the Los Angeles area in 1995. He bought a home in Jamestown, ND in 2009 where he enjoyed the summers and an occasional trip in winter. He attended Grace Episcopal Church in Jamestown, ND. He read the Jamestown Sun daily, even having it mailed to his home in Redondo Beach. He was a crossword puzzle enthusiast, an avid reader. Roger had a passion for classical music, could hear a piece and usually tell you who the composer was. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in Redondo Beach and was also President of the Redondo Seniors. He loved to travel and has been to many parts of the world, including Central America and Europe.

Roger was a tree enthusiast (would you stop planting those trees already!!) and was very proud of his gardens where he grew giant sized sunflowers and many other summertime vegetables. He enjoyed fishing and woodworking. He liked animals, especially dogs: Cosmo (Barkley), Mac and Fritz were his favorites.

Roger is survived by his son John Reger (Eldridge, ND), his daughter Jane (Jeff) Knaus (Torrance, CA), two grandchildren Craig Knaus and Kristen Knaus (Torrance, CA) and two brothers Duane Reger (Alexandria, VA) and Dennis (T) Reger, Indio, CA. He is preceded in death by a son (Karl Reger) and his parents.

Memorial Service: Friday March 30th, 4p.m. at the Redondo Beach Elks (Rice Mortuary).

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