Roger William Rommel

Roger Rommel of Bakersfield passed away Monday, April 29, 2013. Roger was born in La Crosse, WI, to Elmer and Esther Rommel. Roger graduated from La Crosse Central High School, where he played football. Shortly after graduation, he moved to Dubuque, IA, where the family owned and operated three A&W Drive-Ins.

Roger met and married his wife, Nancy, in 1977, and they have enjoyed 36 years of marriage. After retiring from A&W in 1983, Roger and Nancy moved to Bakersfield, where he managed the Hickory Farms in Valley Plaza for 10 years.

His greatest passions were his 1957 Thunderbird and his dogs. He was an active member of the Bakersfield Classic Thunderbird Club for 30 years and also belonged to the Chevrolets Limited of Bakersfield. Roger and Nancy spent many day and weekend trips with the clubs in their classic cars. Roger never found a stranger who he couldn't talk to about the cars.

Roger was preceded in death by his mother and father. He is survived by his wife, Nancy; and her sisters, brothers, and in-laws, Joyce (Bill) Coolahan of Cedar Rapids, IA, Gary (Martha) Gentz of Eustace, TX, Ronald (Linda) Gentz of Davenport, IA, Mary Ann Conzett of Dubuque, IA, Dean (Linda) Gentz of Belvidore, IL, Robert (Julie) Gentz of Eldridge, IA, Carol Gentz of Pukalani, HI, Steve (Mary Ellen) Gentz of Huntsville, AL, David (Debbie) Gentz of Hamilton, AL, and Joan (Joe) Tayek of Monona, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

A chapel service will be held on Friday, May 3, 2013, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation starting before the service at 12:00 p.m., at Greenlawn Memorial Chapel, 2739 Panama Lane. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the American Heart Association or Kern County Animal Shelter.