Roger William O'Dell

A good friend! Spending lots of time with his widow, Joanne, and am reminded of him with pictures and conversation frequently. His sons are good friends.

I've noticed that whenever I'm with mutual friends, we often remark on how special Roger was as a friend and as an agent and inspiration for positive change in the world. Most recently that was with my friend Marty Hahn and his son Jordan.

Please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your dear husband and father. I accidentally came upon the notice and believe that I went all through high school with Roger. If he was the same young man in my class in Olney High School, I remember him as being one of the nicest and smartest boys in the school. He was humble and kind to everyone. So sorry to learn of such a valuable life cut too short.

Roger was a fine person. I knew him as the long-time president of the University City Bicycle Club in Philadelphia. Rides were always more fun when Roger was along. In 1984 Roger, John Dowlin and I published the first Commuter's Bicycle Map of Philadelphia. The world is a better place for his having been here.

Joanne and family... you are in my thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to you all.

When I first came to Virginia in 1987 Roger was one of the first persons I met in my line of business as an architect. He was a very warm, kind and gentle person. He was always interested in what I was doing and always cheerful. I was saddened to hear of his passing and would like to pass on my heartfelt condolences to Joanne and the entire family.

John & Veronica Matthews, Charlottesville

We met Roger after the VA Tech incident. He went with Tom on trips to the General Assembly to advocate for changes in the mental health laws in Virginia. Roger could always persuade the Senators and Delegates to meet for a face to face meeting. Roger served on the NAMI VA Advocacy committee to change laws in Virginia. Joanne, Roger's wife, volunteered to teach MESA lessons on medications to care givers of persons with mental illness. She would bring a number of her students to share in...

Roger was so blessed and grateful to have the deep and wide support and love of his close family and many friends. I was blessed to get to know him through our MIT alumni connections and mutual projects, values, and interests. Especially memorable for me was our joint work on William Barton Rogers/Mount Rogers informational posters for trail-heads and William Barton Rogers Day 6/11/11. He will be missed by us all, but we have fond memories to cherish and share.

Roger was a pleasant person and we had lots of conversations while he was in the hospital. I will keep you in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Leanne Blatterman, LPTA