Roark Nagler

1948 - 2021

Roark Nagler
February 26, 1948 - October 24, 2021
Boise, Idaho - The world lost a good one on Sunday, October 24th, 2021, when Roark Nagler left this earth. He was a role model, companion and outdoorsman who always believed life is short, so live large. He was born to a disciplinarian war hero in Chicago who gave him a knack for fixing things and a sharp wit. After spending 12 years in catholic school Roark escaped into the arms of merchant sailors at Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York. At Kings Point he earned a degree in engineering, a letter in marksmanship, and met the love of his life and wife of 50 years Patricia Jordan. After sailing off his education Roark and Patricia started a family and a long cross country journey chasing a career with AT&T. At their stop in Littleton, CO, Roark got bit by a snow snake, learned how to ski and infected his 3 boys with the same bug. When work took them to Boise, Idaho the family knew they were home. Roark found a second family at the Bogus Basin ski patrol where he spent 27 years giving toboggan rides, teaching outdoor emergency care and never stopping for lunch, though he always had time to stop and straighten just one more bamboo. He wants you all to know that safety is no accident. Roark always planned to skid his corvette sideways into the afterlife shouting "what a ride!" but in a surprise move he left us mid-bike ride when his heart decided it was time. His body held on for a few days then expired surrounded by his wife and sons. All 4 of his grandchildren, his mother, step-father, wife, kids and a huge community of friends miss his powerful hugs, great hair and terrible sense of humor. If you want to donate to a cause that was near and dear to Roark's heart, please give a tax deductible donation to the Bogus Basin Ski Patrol at PO box 7433, Boise, ID, 83707 or bbsp.org, be sure to mention our favorite hooligan in your donation. Roark never liked funerals, he always wanted a big ass party in his honor. We would be honored if you would join us in a big ass celebration of life, Bruce Springsteen and bad dancing at the Linen Building on his birthday, Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 6pm. There will be food, drinks, karaoke and a very serious dance contest with extremely valuable prizes, so practice those finger guns and karate kicks. Remember, you don't quit skiing because you get old, you get old because you quit skiing.