Roger Thomas Roepke, loving husband, father, brother, son, and friend to many, died in an avalanche while backcountry skiing with his eldest son near his home at Aneroid Lakes basin in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Wallowa County, Oregon, on Saturday, March 7, 2009.
Roger and his wife, Lisa Armstrong Roepke, settled in Enterprise in July, 2006, after a long search for the ideal place to raise their boys Erich, 15, and Kyle, 13. Looking for a location of both natural beauty a powerful sense of community, Lisa and Roger set out to decrease their carbon footprint and find a home that reflected their respect for the planet and their dream of sustainable living. Roger was an avid cyclist and a skilled backcountry skier. He loved all outdoor activities, including kayaking, sailing, hunting, and hiking.
Born in San Francisco on February 21, 1959 to Robert and Doris Roepke, Roger was raised in Castro Valley and graduated from Castro Valley High School in 1977 where he excelled as a champion wrestler. He joined the Merchant Marines and traveled the world.
Upon his return to California, Roger enrolled in college, graduating from CSU Chico in 1986 with a B.S. in civil engineering.
Roger’s 23-year career spanned employment in the federal, state and private sectors. After working for 8 years with the Indian Health Service (U.S. Public Health Service) in Elko, Nevada and Spokane, Washington, Roger retired with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He and his family returned to Nevada where he worked as a water engineer, first for the State and later with Lumos and Associates. In 2001, Roger and his wife established Black Rock Engineering, Inc. Roger enjoyed a variety of humanitarian work, including volunteering his engineering services in the post-Katrina effort with Architecture for Humanity and the Oprah Winfrey Angel Network. Roger enjoyed partnering with affected families and like-minded groups to engineer innovative and affordable housing for the region.
Roger’s main focus was always on family. He met his wife, Lisa Armstrong-Roepke, while attending school in Chico, and the couple married on June 11, 1988. The Roepke family moved to Enterprise, in Wallowa County Oregon, almost three years ago, drawn to the natural beauty of the environment and the warmth and generosity of the community.
There are many people who would choose to be listed as Roger’s family. But most importantly, Roger is survived by his devoted wife, Lisa; their sons Erich and Kyle; Roger’s mother, Doris Kramer Roepke of Castro Valley, CA; and Roger’s brother, Michael Roepke of Pleasanton, CA. A memorial celebration of Roger’s life was held March 14-15; the weekend included an evening celebration of spirit in Joseph, a free ski day in Roger’s honor at Ferguson Ridge, and a commemorative wake courtesy of Terminal Gravity Brew Pub in Enterprise.
A memorial fund has been established at Community Bank. In addition to benefiting the Wallowa County Search and Rescue, proceeds will establish an annual bike ride in Roger’s memory planned tentatively for September 2009. Donations can be made to the “Roger Roepke Donation Account” and mailed directly to Community Bank, P.O. Box 399, Enterprise, Oregon, 97828
