Roger Waldo Borgelt

Roger Waldo Borgelt
Roger Waldo Borgelt was born in Concordia, Missouri on May 11, 1936 to John Waldo Borgelt and Anna Louisa Carolina (Heins) Borgelt. He passed away peacefully at age 84 on February 13, 2021.
Roger was educated in the public schools in Kansas City, Missouri before attending the University of Kansas City, now University of Missouri – Kansas City, where he earned a degree in Business.
While still in college, he began his professional career at age 19 with the Vernon Law Book Company, with encouragement of the president, Mr. Marvin, an early mentor. Not long after, a very beautiful Cynthia Anne Bishop began working in Mr. Marvin's office. Roger and Cindy married in 1960, with Roger travelling the states of Kansas and Missouri representing Vernon Law Book Company, which became West Publishing.
Soon the company offered a great opportunity to represent them throughout much of Texas. In 1963, with sights set on a great unknown future, they arrived in Austin with their infant son Roger Blane. Roger began handling a large swath of the state running from Del Rio to Louisiana while serving the Austin legal community's needs for public and private law libraries and law books. He and Cindy had arrived when Austin's population was less than 200,000, much smaller than Kansas City. They started a new branch of their family in Austin, with daughters Krista and Audra soon added to the family. Roger excelled in his position with West Publishing. He was a great presence in the company as a top sales representative annually, and retired after 40 years when West was purchased by Thomson Reuters in 1996.
Friends and family will attest he became enamored with the enigma of Texas and its mystique. In retirement, he purchased a ranch property near Fredericksburg and enjoyed time spent there immensely. He, Cindy and Audra traveled the world together and enjoyed their time at the Texas coast with family as well. During most hot Texas summers, they enjoyed a beautiful mountain home in Durango. Particularly, he enjoyed his outings of great frequency with Audra to Holiday House, Starbucks, and other equally nutritious Austin places.
Roger leaves behind his wife of 60 years, Cindy, three children, Roger Blane Borgelt and wife Mary Ellen, Krista Borgelt-Gonzales and husband Ron, and Audra Borgelt, all of Austin, and four wonderful grandchildren, Ronald, Samantha, Alexis and Brianna Gonzales. He was predeceased by his brother Clark Borgelt and his sister Frances Sloop. He is also survived by his sisters Evelyn Borgelt and LaVerne Riedi, both of the Kansas City area, and many nieces and nephews spread across the country.
Roger was diagnosed with leukemia in late 2019, but did not allow the diagnosis or treatment to slow him down any more than absolutely necessary, continuing his independence right up to the final hospital visit. His relentlessly positive attitude and ever-present humor will be missed by his family.
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
A memorial service will be held at a later date when it is safe to do so.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Texas State History Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 12456, Austin, TX 78711.
Remembrances may be shared at www.wcfish.com.