Roger Leonard Ertel

Roger Leonard Ertel - artist, carpenter, builder, and cyclist - was born in Madeira, Ohio, outside of Cincinnati. The oldest child of Charlotte and Arthur Ertel, Roger joined the great liberating migration to California in 1972. First to SoCal to attend Cal Arts, then to San Francisco, where he remained his entire life, till his Parkinson's became too debilitating and he entered a series of care facilities. For over 30 years Roger was a noted builder of homes, remodels and decks throughout Marin County and worked closely with architects Jacques Ullman and Ernie Sealander. As an artist Roger is best known for his sculpture series "Opus", large angular constructions in wood reminiscent of the work of David Smith, who he revered. A lover of car and motorcycle racing, and in the early days of long cycling rides in Marin which always culminated on a centrally located bench in Sausalito. There he and his cycling friends would meet to drink a beer, before cycling back home across the Golden Gate bridge. An accomplished guitarist, above all things Roger loved music. From his earliest days in Ohio playing in rock and roll bands with his brother David, he loved and played his many guitars. Roger is survived by his sister Joyce Ertel Hulbert and her husband Mark of Berkeley. And by Jacqueline Martin and family of San Rafael, who have been by Roger's side during his long illness. Contributions in Roger's honor can be made to the organization PD Active, a non-profit helping those with Parkinson's. A gathering in Roger's honor is being planned - if you knew Roger and would like to be in touch, please send an email to textileart@sbcglobal.net.