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Roger Bessey Obituary
Roger Bessey left this earth in the early morning of April 21st, 2016. He no doubt donned his wide-brimmed hat, grabbed a walking stick, and stomped off into the wild blue yonder, as was his habit in life.
RB was born on May 3rd, 1939 to Otto Bessey and Kathryn Munro in Boston, MA. Roger spent his youth in Boston, New York, Chicago, Galveston and many summers in Montana before settling in San Antonio. A 1961 Yale University graduate with a degree in Physics, he worked at Southwest Research Institute for most of his career.
Roger is survived by his wife, Judith Durbin, and his children: Sherri Blassingame (KC Blassingame), Kylee Wall (JT Wall), Gee Lee Bessey (Scottie Guo), and Han Bessey (Sara Chavez). Opa dearly loved his four granddaughters: Elyse, Briana, Keelie, and Avery, as well as his three grandsons: Bennet, Ethan and Devin. Montana, aka Mrs. Bessey, his dog will also miss her master.
Rog wore many hats: husband, father, joker, philosopher, scientist, musician, and gardener - an all-around character. His booming laugh, sharp intellect, and presence in any room will be missed by all that had the pleasure of knowing him.
A memorial service will be held at 10am on May 7th at the McNay Art Museum. Please wear bright colors and bring a portable chair (if you need it). In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Roger's name to a local music/arts society, the ASPCA, or the National Wildlife Federation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Roger Bessey
Jacques SamAlens
April 25, 2025
It was as part of our ambitious attempt to conquer the North American market that I had the immense privilege of working with Roger... It was the time of GPA, the French helmets... early eighties. I opted to choose Texas and its illustrious city of San Antonio... a stone´s throw from the famous Fort Alamo... "South West Research Institute" was mandated by the Department of Transportation to technically control helmets that could claim the DOT standard...
Roger was then the head of the laboratory! For a good fifteen years I went there three to four times a year! Roger was a lively guy, full of common sense and also a "bon vivant"... enjoying life!!
we spent excellent times together both at work and on outings after work... I have fond memories of it! Ciao Roger... rest in peace!!
Jacques SAMALENS
November 5, 2017
Rest in peace Roger... Glad to be your friend... Testing GPA french helmets!
You learned me a lot...
johan schippers
November 16, 2016
my dear friend, i am so sad about you leaving us. for me in holland you were my conscious, texas memory and inspiration at the same time.
we didn't finish our inter continental tennis game yet, so it will be even more complicated then before to beat you.
on many occasions you showed me direction, where to go and where not to go.
unfortunately i didn't know until today, wishing strength and some of your spirits to those left behind.
Linda Taiym
October 24, 2016
May you Rest in peace Mr.Bessey. Surely a soul never to be forgotten. My condolences to his children and especially to only son HanMing.
Hanna Nasir and Sandip Pakvasa 1963
Sandip Pakvasa
June 5, 2016
Roger and Hanna Nasir 1963
Sandip Pakvasa
June 5, 2016
Sandip Pakvasa
May 28, 2016
We were students together at Purdue during early '60's. The dreary winters for me were brightened by having Roger as a friend and cohort. Especially when he would knock on my window at 3 in the morning and demand spicy Indian pickle or ask me to join him on an excursion to the bars in downtown Lafayette. We kept in touch, even meeting once in San Antonio. His promise to visit me in Hawaii remained unfulfilled, alas. I valued his lively humor and plain spoken wisdom, reminiscent of a Will Rogers.
I lost a truly great friend, too early...will surely miss him.
p.s. I will post photos of Roger with Hanna and I taken in 1964
Hanna Nasir
May 28, 2016
How sad to know that Roger will no longer be with us. A brilliant man whom I met while doing my graduate work in physics at Purdue University in the mid-sixties. We became very good friends and he often visited me and my wife at the married student courts in Nimitz drive, where I taught him all the good words in Arabic. We corresponded on an off later and his letters were full of enjoyable comments of his take on politics, marriage, physics, employment and so on. He will certainly be missed by all who knew him
Hanna Nasir, Palestine
[email protected]
P. A. Cox
May 3, 2016
One thing I remember about Roger is, when asked how he was doing, he often said, "If I was any better I couldn't stand it." I have used that reply often and never forgot where I first heard it. It has been a while since I last saw Roger. I am saddened by his passing.
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