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ROGER MEERSMAN Obituary
ROGER L. MEERSMAN (Age 87)
On Friday, June 15, 2018, of Silver Spring, MD originally from Moline, IL. Beloved husband of Delight Meersman; loving father of Matthew Meersman, Solange (Hank) Meetze, Deirdre (Scott) Gorton, Halcyon Meersman and Roberto Meersman. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Roger's second home was the University of Maryland where, in his 39 years at the University, he served as Professor, Director, Scholar, and Chair in the Department of Theatre, and retired as Professor Emeritus. Dr. Meersman received his AA from Blackhawk College, BA from Saint Ambrose College, MFA from Catholic University, MA and PHD from University of Illinois. In addition to his work at the University, he directed many productions throughout the Washington D.C. area, served on steering committees and boards, and mentored many in the Washington Theatre community. His writing credits include co-author of the book, Stage for a Nation. He also served as Theatre Critic for the Journal Newspapers for several years. In 2002, Dr. Meersman was honored with the Theatre Washington Helen Hayes Awards Governors Award for his life-long contribution to, and unwavering support of the theatre community. Two of his greatest loves were his family and his students who were an unending source of pride. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), on Sunday, July 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers and in the spirit of Roger you perform an act of kindness, then go to a show.www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com
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Kathryn Madden
July 2, 2025
Always an internalized persona and vibrant force in all the work, music, and performance I do--now playwriting--Roger lives on with his strong, confident, and deep love of the theatre and performance. And he just cared deeply about people. You're legacy lives on, Roger!! Kathy Wood Madden
Kathryn Wood Madden
July 3, 2024
Always an internalized figure of dynamism, humor, great direction onstage, teacher, and colleague when I became a professional actor in NYC. Never to be forgotten, his spirited personality looms large and remains an example to remember of what the depth of theatre is all about. Miss you Roger.
Kathy Wood (Boule) Madden
July 2, 2023
Roger, Here it is 2023. You would be so proud that I have created and written the book for a new musical theatre production. The 2 acts are complete with 12 songs, collaborating with a composer and lyricist in NYC where I still live ever since coming up here for my acting career. Now, Goodspeed in CT has invited us to their writer's development program and production. I know you would be so proud that your students continue your legacy. I've authored a book on The Unconscious Roots of Creativity (Chiron Publications). It all emerged from your inspirational passion. I wish you could be beside me as the play is directed. I'm sure you would prefer a Tennessee Williams style play, but this is my venue, and you knew it. How do people get so lucky to have mentors like you that live inside them for a lifetime? I try to treat my own students at Columbia and Pacifica Graduate Institute with the same giving of soul. It works. I hope Delight is okay. I still keep up with Dick Bigelow and Suzie, Michelle Mundell, who married Jack Kyrieleison. I hope you're keeping track of us. I've always meant to call Delight and don't know if she's still in Silver Spring. I'll try. Pizza for breakfast for your kids--OMG!! That's why we'll always love your ways and your intense talent. Kathy Wood Madden (1971) A pic below of me as Grace Farrell in Broadway "Annie"--5 years! [email protected]
Kathy Wood Madden
July 2, 2022
I think of Roger so often and he remains such a powerful presence in my life, my teaching, my work with patients, and my recent return to the vocation that we shared--the theatre. To be directed by Roger in any of his main Stage plays/musicals at The U. of MD. was always an experience of internalizing depth of character, confronting "the new," and exploring the vast realms of creativity emerging from the unconscious. Just standing at my dressing room door one night at the Kennedy Center, where I was performing for a month, always forthright and bold in his keen ability to relate to a diversity of persons and students, he always left behind the feeling of really being seen. His love of his family was profound. He cared deeply about his students and educated us on multiple levels of conceptual learning and body-psyche experiencing. One of a kind. Not to be replaced, Dr. Roger Meersman will always be alive in my mind and heart. I created a small decopage plaque for him with the words to "The Impossible Dream' when he directed us in Man of La mancha. If any of his family members ever find this little offering I gave him, I would so appreciate a photo of it in remembrance of how grateful I was, and am, to have known and worked with a man of such dynamism, earthiness, humor, and intelligence. Sincerely, Kathryn Wood Madden ('72). [email protected]
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Dr Jay Strauss Teran Williams
July 2, 2022
Roger: saved me from being boring, both as an actor and as a writer. Life can be boring: actors and writers cannot be boring. Roger was NEVER boring: he had this impish smile on his face, in his body, in his connection with people. I loved Roger: he gave so generously of himself, and his work at U of M was NOT about Roger, it was about US: he wanted us to come to the edge and soar, so we did. An amazing example of an angel on earth. Those who want to be in touch: my email is [email protected] Jay MA, UofM, 1969
Kathy Wood Boule Madden
August 5, 2021
I only now looked up Roger and found that the is gone. Last time I saw him was when he came backstage with a student when I was performing Grace Farrell in the Broadway National Tour of "Annie." He gave me a nice review. More than that I had missed him so as a professor, mentor, and approable and relational person with a heart that was huge and encompassing. He never encouraged me to go to Broadway. But I did and had a "good enough" career with 1200 performances of Grace in "Annie,' and some other 25 musicals. He cast me twice as Antonia in his main stage show of Man of La Mancha and at the dinner theatre version at a well-known hotel in Silver Spring. My mother did a decopage plaque for him with the words I calligraphied of The Impossible Dream. I hope it is still in the family. This is the legacy he left to all of us. He seemed to take the deepest and more difficult plays to direct and produce on mainstage, and I was proud to work with him, always. I clearly have never forgotten him all these 40 years later. My BA with him in theatre was finished in 1972. I went on later, after Broadway to do a Ph.D in psychology and comparative religions teaching at UTS-Columbia in NY course on archeypal ritual and symbol. That would be heritage I think he would have liked. He took risks and was one of a kind. I will hope to see you again Roger when the time comes. much love and respect, Kathy Wood [email protected]
Dr Jay Strauss Teran, New York City and London, UK
Jay Teran Strauss-Williams
July 2, 2019
Roger was full of wonder: and it was all about the other person, never about himself. He saved me in many ways.....first, when I was doing How to Succeed he praised what I did although I was scared out of my mind with almost no rehearsal for the day I took over the lead (another director was in charge!). Then he came to my rescue when another faculty member (RIP) was not doing the job.....Roger got me through the thesis and taught me how to write and this was one of the reasons I got my PhD at NYU! The last instance was, without any fanfare, I was called into the Dean's office at U of M and told that I was being inducted into Phi Kappa Phi on the recommendation of Dr Meersman. Wow! At that moment I felt that I had "made it"...........Roger was the ultimate cheerleader! He loved us all without any kind of fawning affection: he was (and is) just REAL. So adorable, so kind, so smart, and one of those guys you just want as a friend, forever. And he IS. Love to the family. Jay
Judith Levine
August 5, 2018
To Mrs. Meersman and family,
I just learned about Dr. Meersman's passing. I had the great pleasure of knowing him between 1963 and 1966 as member of the University of Maryland's University Theatre. His passionate love of theatre and its discipline and his willingness to work with young people made all of us grow into better people. I was involved in backstage work including set building and props, but he never saw us as other than part of a whole production. Teamwork is a valuable tool in a person's life. Everytime I see a play, I think of Dr. Meersman. Thank you so much for sharing him with us. And may the One who brings peace bring peace to all of your family as you mourn.
Jay Teran
August 2, 2018
Roger Meersman: There simply was NO ONE like him! He directed me in shows at the U.of M, was my thesis director (and the reason I was able to finish my MA, and was the most loving of men! Smart, adorable, nurturing, kind, and an amazing talent in the classroom and as an advisor. He was so kind to have me inducted into Phi Kappa Phi.........he did it quietly and with no farfare. He was a star! And now HIS star will keep shining on all of us. I went on the get my PhD at NYU, largely because I learned how to write, thanks to Roger. He encouraged my acting, and later in life I went on the do many Broadway shows on tour and in regional theatre. GEM of a man. I will always cherish my years with him at U of M and send love and great waves of spirit to his family. Jay Teran (Jay Strauss) [email protected]
Jeff
July 21, 2018
Dear Delight, Matthew, Solange & Hank, Deirdre & Scott, Halcyon and Roberto,
The news of Roger's passing jolted me like lightning from the heavens straight to the heart. It is difficult to accept that a larger than life Nashama has departed this Earth. Roger remains such an integral part of my personal journey - that started soon after college some 30 years ago and continues to this day under his watch. Now this journey continues from within me, inspired by all his years of teachings. As you know, I am not an actor but a scientist. Nevertheless, I learned a great deal from him and from the arts he introduced me to. I know in my heart that I would not be who I am or where I am today had it not been for the plethora of topics Roger challenged me with, exposed me to, and discussed with me.
It all started in the Summer of 1988 when I moved to Maryland after college. I met Roger within weeks of moving here and next thing I knew I was attending theater 2 nights a weeka tradition that lasted for 20 years. I cannot look back on a single consequential moment in my adult life where he (and all of you) have not been involved in a significant way. He was there to ensure that all my graduate school applications were turned in by the due dates; and that I promised not to miss out on being hooded at my PhD graduation because he insisted on attending the ceremony; and on dating the American Jewish girls he would match me with - only to eventually bless with all his heart my engagement and marriage to a Lebanese Christian. He was there during my wife's cancer diagnosis and recovery and always there for quick late night escapes to restaurants just to talk and eat mounds of unsalted butter with barely enough bread to hold it together, and the occasional beer to wash it down.
Getting together was merely an excuse to sit across from one another and discuss anything and everything - but invariably for him to remind me that there are infinite angles to just about everything in life - and that one should never give up trying to find and explore all of them. After all, keeping an open and inquisitive mind takes constant effort; and simply put: satisfaction equates to giving up!!
Roger made me a better person, a better cancer researcher, and a better husband and family man. While I know that he is now experiencing a new and fascinating angle to his journey, I will do my best to keep chasing after Earthly angles, per his guidance.
Thank you for inviting me into your home, your family, your hearts and souls. The Meersmans are, and will always be a special family to me on all levels.
Rick Inguanti
July 16, 2018
To all of Roger's family,
I'm very sorry for your loss. I was fortunate to study with Roger at UMCP and grow as a young, insecure student actor under his direction, both in class and in "Death of a Salesman" way back in the late '70's. Roger challenged me with his methods and I came out the better for it. May he rest eternally at peace. I hope that his spirit and God's peace bring comfort to you all.
July 16, 2018
Dear Delight and family -- Your home was my refuge during my days at U of M when I was getting my Masters in 70-72 plus the additional year when Roger and I did the Smithsonian/Caedmon Records project. I have very fond memories of classes and productions. He was the best.My heart goes out to you all. He was a great teacher, director, and father. A true inspiration to so many. How he loved you all.
God bless...Joyce Cusmano - [email protected]
alvin mayes
July 13, 2018
Roger was one of the most encouraging colleagues I met here at the UMD. I will miss him dearly.
Adrienne Athanas
July 12, 2018
I was a student in the UMD Theatre Department in the early 1980s, and both worked with and was taught by Dr. Meersman. He was always supportive and encouraging. He was indeed an advocate for the local theatre scene and his critiques of shows always felt fair and balanced; after all, he wanted folks to attend! His family were also supportive of his students, and I offer my sincere condolences for their loss.
Joan Spinner
July 11, 2018
I was at the university back in 1965-67 where I met Roger and just fell in love. He was so enthusiastic and encouraging. He inspired and supported all the students around him. I am grateful for all he taught me but even more for the spirit he nurtured of adventure and never giving up. The world is a better place because he pass through it.
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