Roger Randall Rountree

Family-Placed Obituary

Roger Randall Rountree, 82, died peacefully at home in Round Rock on Tuesday afternoon, December 23, 2003, following an extended illness. Roger was born in San Antonio on August 26, 1921, son of Robert Rountree of San Angelo and Mary Ruth Forehand Rountree of Llano. Growing up in San Antonio and Llano, he spent many happy hours in the 1930's roaming the Texas Hill Country, often hunting for his dinner. Life didn't get much better than that for a teenage boy he often said. He later delighted in visiting those same locations, occasionally pointing out places of interest to his young family and talking of times long ago. He always noted Pack Saddle Mountain and its history, reviewing his family's prominent role in the battle named for the mountain. Like many of his generation, Roger entered the military shortly after Pearl Harbor, joining the Army Air Corps. Assigned to the 16th Observation Squadron, he crossed the Atlantic on the Queen Mary and later was part of Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, then defended against the Allies by the French Army. He was an aerial gunner on the Havoc A-20, a medium bomber, and flew numerous combat missions. Roger found his life's calling in 1948, when he became a member of the Austin Police Department, then a small force of men who wore cotton or wool uniforms, Sam Brown belts, white hats, and worked six day work weeks, driving all black patrol cars with standard transmissions and no air conditioning. Assigned to the Vice Squad when it was called the Vice Squad, he was later promoted to street sergeant, forgery detective sergeant, watch commander, head of the homicide unit, and then as a lieutenant assigned as APD's public information officer. Roger loved the adventure of the street, the challenge of maintaining self composure in the midst of chaos, the role of logic in an emotional job, and his fellow officers. After thirty six years on the job, he still had a respect for all men and women. It was a proud but bitter- sweet day for him in December 1983 when he retired, thirty six interesting years given to the City of Austin. During the 1970's, Roger developed a passion for the game of golf. Anyone who played regularly at Morris Williams Golf Course remembers his love of life, his unswerving optimism, his unshakable belief in the goodness of most people, his infectiously positive attitude, and his utterly without fail middle-of-the-fairway 245 yard drive with a slight fade, the fade being both his bane and his savior. He later spent many hours at the Southwestern University Golf Course, first as a player then as a marshal. He made two holes-in-one in his lifetime. Roger is survived by wife, LaVerne; son, Roger; daughter, Robin Rountree Frame; his beloved grandchildren, Matthew and Summer Frame of New Braunfels, Cody Ramsey of Laramie, Wyoming, Brandon Ramsey of Seattle, Washington, Evan Frame of Irving, Megan Rountree of Austin; and his great-grandson, Hudson Frame, two months, of New Braunfels. Further, he is survived by his brother, Cecil; sister, Betsy, and David Frame, a good friend and loyal son-in-law. The family would like to commend Dr. Bryon Welch for his sensitive and insightful caring and Gail McNulty, invaluable in-home care giver. Roger was an uncommonly loving and giving man who seldom complained. He was the best dad and grand dad ever. He loved driving the grandkids around the neighborhood in a golf cart. He was a well regarded and professional police officer, a friendly and helpful neighbor, a man of sound principles, good judgment, and one who valued duty, family, and honor. He made friends everywhere he went. And those who knew him understand that someone in heaven right now is getting individual help with his or her golf swing. Fore! Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 29, 2003, in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home . Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park. Please join us in honoring our loved one by visiting our Memorial at www.mem.com .