Roger Wallace Siuda

April 1, 1931 - January 27, 2024
Roger Wallace Siuda passed away at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on January 27, 2024. His faith, determination, and love for his family sustained him for over a decade as he battled illness. We take comfort knowing that he is at peace with his Savior and no longer in pain.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, first wife (Florence Sebo), sister (Marilyn Litch), and great niece (Kristin Hemming).
He is survived by his wife (Kathy Siuda), his children (Nancy Hoppock, Matt Siuda, and Joni Rogers), their spouses (Doug Hoppock and Tim Rogers), and grandchildren (Riley, James, Quinn and Will Siuda; Grant and Caroline Hoppock; Sam and Maisy Rogers). He is also survived by his dearly beloved Siuda family (Lee, Rob, and Ryan Hemming) and his many and much loved Sebo family members (sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews). He also loved Kathy's children (Gray Harsh, Lee Frommelt, and Buff Harsh) and their families as his own.
Roger was born in Chicago on April 1, 1931, and attended Taft High School. He was a standout athlete on the football, basketball, and track teams as well as a member of the choir program. He graduated from Lake Forest College in 1953 with a degree in Economics. While there, he was a member of the Letterman's Club, the Athletic Board of Control, the Interfraternity Council, and president of Kappa Sigma. He was later selected to the Forester Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978 from his contributions to the football team as a four-year letter winner, two-time All-Conference tackle, and co-captain of the 1952 Conference Championship team.
After serving his country for 2 years in the Army as a combat engineer, he met Florence (Flossie) Sebo in the Chicago area. They later married in Winona, Minnesota on February 21, 1959. Nancy was born in Chicago, and Matt and Joni were born in the Kansas City area after Roger and Flossie moved to Overland Park. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and had many jobs over his life, including president of Fuel Economy Laboratories.
Roger and Flossie raised their three children in the Round Hill neighborhood. The family spent summers at the neighborhood pool, swimming and watching Roger and the other neighborhood dads play intense games of volleyball on the concrete court-where eventually the injuries suffered by these weekend warriors ended their matches, but not their fun together. In 1993, Roger and Flossie had a lake house built at Beaver Lake in Rogers, Arkansas-a house where three generations of his family continue to make life-long memories.
After Flossie's passing in 1995, Roger stayed in the family home in Overland Park. He later met his second wife, Kathy, at a chance encounter at Village Presbyterian Church poetry group. The two were drawn together by their mutual love for nutritional supplements, healthy habits, and laughter. They married in 2000 and moved to their new house in 2008. They loved bringing together all of their children and families for holidays. They especially loved hosting the grandchildren for "Papa's" pancakes and ice cream.
Sports, competition, and his children were pillars of his life. Because of this, Roger founded Great American Basketball League for his son Matt. In 1974, the league started as two 4 grade teams. Now in its 50 year, the organization has grown to serving over 8,000 boys and girls every year in the Kansas City metro area.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Roger's name to GABL Youth Sports Foundation, Inc. (15030 W 106th Street, Lenexa, KS 66215) (913.236.8833 ext. 116).
To celebrate his life, there will be a private family service in the coming weeks. As we carry on Roger's legacy and memory, the family will continue to enjoy the fond stories and tales of Roger's life-we welcome any that you may cherish and want to share.