Roger Francis Delwiche M.D.

1941 - 2021

Roger Francis Delwiche, M.D.
Roger Francis Delwiche, M.D., 80, a longtime resident of Santa Rosa, California, died Saturday, April 24. He was the beloved husband of Jody Delwiche and father of Amanda and Alexa Delwiche.
Roger was born in San Jose, CA on January 21, 1941, son of the late Frances (Lamb) and Edmund Delwiche. He was raised in San Jose, graduating from Willow Glen High in 1958. He received his BA in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and medical degree from UCLA. He completed his medical internship at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. Roger served as Captain in the US Air Force from 1967-1969. He was stationed in Germany where he met his wife, Jody, of nearly 50 years. Upon completing his service, Roger finished his internal medicine residency at St. Luke's Hospital in New York City.
Roger and Jody married in 1971 and moved to Boston, MA where he completed his Gastroenterology (GI) Fellowship at Boston City Hospital. His California roots drew them back in 1973, eventually starting a GI practice in Santa Rosa, CA in 1977. Dr. Delwiche was a fixture of the Sonoma County medical community for 27 years, including as Chief of Staff at Memorial Hospital from 1987-88. Upon retirement from private practice in 2004, he traveled to remote areas of the United States providing medical care.
Family meant everything to Roger. Despite the taxing hours of his profession, Roger never missed an opportunity to watch his two daughters play soccer, run a race, or win academic awards. His life changed completely when he became a grandfather. Known lovingly as "Bapa" to his four grandsons, Roger's every moment with his grandchildren filled him with happiness.
He was an avid hiker, the San Francisco Giants number one fan, had a large network of close friends, and was civically engaged throughout his entire life. He was an active volunteer with Organizing for America and the Sonoma County Democratic Party. He believed passionately that healthcare was a human right, volunteering countless hours in front of supermarkets and at events all around Sonoma County to enroll residents in the Affordable Care Act.
Material things were never Roger's goal; he was kind and seldom judgmental, always a listener, true to his word, and dedicated to the medical profession he loved. Roger made family his priority, his children and grandchildren his treasure, and his career one of integrity. He loved to laugh with friends and family. He traveled this world doing what he could to help and was remarkable in all the quiet ways that mattered.
Roger is survived by his wife Jody; daughters, Amanda Delwiche and son-in-law James Hoese, and Alexa Delwiche and son-in-law Christopher Elias; his grandchildren Micah and Cody Hoese and Coleman and Lucas Elias; his brothers David Delwiche, his wife, Jean, and Alan Delwiche, his wife Joy; Carole Lyons, his sister-in law; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and sister Ruth Dietz.
A reception will be held later this summer to celebrate Roger's life. If desired, donations may be made to Sonoma County Regional Parks.