Roger Forbragd

Roger P. Forbragd passed away on February 6, 2026 in Brookings, SD. No services will be held for Roger at this time. Condolences can be sent to the family through the funeral home.

Roger was born in Watertown SD on March 16, 1947 to Erwin B. and Barbara G. (Bennett) Forbragd of Clark SD. He was raised on the farm in Clark and graduated from Clark High School in 1965. He played football and wrestled for the Clark Comets and sang bass in the chorus and men's quartet. He was active in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in the Scout's BSA program, Scouting America.

He was a member of the Plymouth Congregational Church UCC in Clark and sang in the choir and was active in their youth group. He attended South Dakota School of Mines and South Dakota State University before being drafted into the United States Army. He served in Viet Nam in 1968-1970 and received an Honorable Discharge.

In May 1971 he relocated to Tucson AZ. There weren't many things he couldn't fix and his roommates called him "The Gadget Guy." He serviced electronic equipment for 45 years before retiring in 2013.

In March 1972 he met his future wife, Roxanna D. Benning of Redfield SD, telling his parents, "She's good looking, she's from South Dakota and she doesn't smoke." On December 29, 1973, Roger and Roxanna were married in the Plymouth Congregation Church in Clark and lived in Tucson until May 2022. They remained married until his death.

Roger and Roxanna owned four-wheel drive vehicles and were members of Tucson Four Wheelers. That membership led to meeting several of their life-long friends. It also led to their love of riding their off-road vehicles in the Imperial Sand Dules Recreation Area in Imperial Valley California. They enjoyed this hobby for nearly 30 years. Roger described riding his sand toys in the dunes as "The most fun you can have with your clothes on."

Anyone who knew Roger or spent any time with him at all probably has a funny story to tell. He had a wonderful sense of humor and would get a twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes and a little grin on his face just before he let go with a zinger! His sense of humor served him well in the last three years of his life as Parkinson's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia took over his body. He bore his illnesses with a grace and dignity that was commented on by many.

Roger is survived by his wife of 52 years, Roxanna; his brother Alan (Marilyn) Forbragd of Clark; his brother-in-law Robert Benning and wife Sharon of Brookings SD; and by numerous nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, Ernie and Barb Forbragd; his brother John of Clark; his in-laws Clayton and Doris Benning of Redfield SD and grandparents.

His beautiful blue eyes and wonderful smile will be forever carried in our hearts. He will be missed. A celebration of Roger's life will be held later this Spring.