Roger Van Duzer Obituary

Roger Vincent Van Duzer was born July 22, 1925 in Oroville Ca.
He died in his home after a brief illness surrounded by loved ones in Oakley, UT., on November 2nd 2007.
Roger proudly served in the USMC during WWII as a Radio Operator in Iwo Jima. In April of 1946 he returned home to Oroville Ca. to take over the family olive ranch. Later, he pursued his bachelors degree at UC Davis in Agriculture. He farmed in the Oroville and Loma Rica area until he retired. Roger was a charter member of the Foothill Lion's Club where he remained active until moving to Oakley, UT., in 2002. He was an active member of the Kamas Valley Lion's Club until he passed away.
Roger was preceded in death by his father, Valentine C. Van Duzer; his mother, Ruth Kitrick-Van Duzer, two siblings; Valentine Van Duzer and Ruth Van Duzer-Watson, his 1st wife, Katherine Duckett, his last wife Billie J. Scott-Van Duzer. He is also survived by his 3 children; Roger Jr.(Nancy)Van Duzer of Oakley, UT, Gretchen Van Duzer - Walker of Muskogee, OK., and Christopher (Terri)Van Duzer, 4 grandchildren; Franchesca Harris of Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas, Derrick Van Duzer of New York, NY, John and Jennifer Van Duzer of Lake Butler, FL.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appeal Democrat on Nov. 9, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger Van Duzer

5 Entries

Susan Hurley

November 19, 2007

Uncle Roger was a legend in his own time with our family. My son John had heard stories about Roger for years. He knew he fished with his bear hands and planted a lake on Grubb's Ranch. The Grubb's later named it Roger's Lake. It is where he always said he wanted his ashes spread. John finally met Roger at Aunt Mamer’s home. We have all delighted in hearing his stories about fishing and hunting. We will remember his wonderful smile and laugh and his twinkling blue eyes.

He recently told us about joining the Marines during WWII, and was glad he was that last name began with a “V”. He talked about landing on Iwo Jima as a radioman and meeting someone else from Oroville there and saving his life. Mother said he always tapped his fingers on the arms of the chair because of the war and doing the Morris Code. She also said that he had never talked about the war but I am glad he recently told us the two stories he did.

I saw him a year ago in Oakley and we had a great visit. He also told us about his youth at Buck’s Lake. He left us one last message at Buck’s in the little mailbox on the door…to say hi. Roger, we will miss you and always carry a little bit of you in our hearts where ever we may be.

We send a big hug to our cousins and are very sad about our Uncle Roger’s passing.

Cousin Sue, Art, Arthur and John

Loree & Steve Gorman

November 18, 2007

We have many fond memoires of Uncle Roger. A laugh we'll never forget.His beautiful blues eyes.He made fun of us city kids at Bucks Lake but was always so loving. We are sad he is gone.Sending you all our best at this difficult time.
Love, Loree & steve Gorman

Jack West

November 13, 2007

I remember fishing with Roger on Little Grizzley Creek near Bucks Lake when I was about 10. He was showing me his art of fishing. It seemed he didn't even have to have water to catch trout. Because he was the greatest fisherman in the Bucks area, I idolized him, and I wanted to follow in his footsteps. However, by the time I was in my mid-twenties, Bucks Lake became a memory. Now, almost 50 years later, the memories of Roger and the adventures with his family are still alive. They were some of the greatest memories in my youth. In reading of his passing, many of those beautiful memories came to life. It's a sad, but beautiful remembrance.

Jan and George West

November 13, 2007

Roger was part of the O'Brien/West families for most of our lives. We shared a love of fishing and the outdoors and spent many wonderful times at Bucks Lake. He was very special to all of us and we are sorry that he is gone. We will miss him and we send our condolences to his family.

Margaret Pettis

November 7, 2007

Dear family of Mr. Van Duzer,

I grew up on a ranch north of Marysville, California and the name of Roger Van Duzer was frequent in my childhood. I rode horses all over the neighboring farms and ranches in District Ten with my sisters, calling each piece by its owner's name. Van Duzer was one!
I moved to Utah in 1973 (after graduating from UCD, like your dad, although many years later.) That is an interesting parallel, I think.
This morning I called my mother and dad, who still live in Marysville, to tell them I saw Roger's obituary in today's Tribune. My mother expressed how much she and my dad liked Roger, that he was a very nice man. If this helps in your grief at all, I hope so; knowing that a man's legacy includes the friends he has made along the way truly matters. I am sorry you lost a wonderful man in your lives.
Margaret Pettis
Hyrum, Utah

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results