Roger Spitzer

1940 - 2025

Roger Bing Spitzer came into this world on the 13th of June 1940 in Eureka, SD. He joined his sister Priscilla, who was 10 years old, his dad, John and his mom, Emma. The family moved to Igloo when Roger was 3 because his dad got a job there. In 1947 the family moved to Hot Springs and Roger graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1958. Roger chose to go into the U.S. Navy, at 17, with his father's permission. He served 3 years in the fire room/boiler room of the USS Hornet.

Upon returning to Hot Springs after his service, he met Helen Jean Muhm, when his friend LaRoy Lorenz picked them both up, along with a few others, for a fun night out. Roger and Helen married on June 16, 1963, at St. John's Lutheran Church which was located in Smithwick at that time. Roger went to work at Hills Edge Auto for his brother-in-law, Jim Sieg, along with his sister, Priscilla. He worked there for 30 years.

Roger was never one to sit still for long. He was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church and over the years held many volunteer roles such as council member, building committee, and usher. He was the perennial St. John's handyman and worked there up until a few weeks before his death. For many years he constructed the downtown street corner pod adopter signs and helped with garbage pick-up during the Great American Clean-up. He and Helen were active members of the Gold Dust Chapter Car Club since 1988 and toured in their Ford Thunderbird.

Roger loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, playing cribbage, going to morning coffee with his friends, working on projects, and Pepsi. Family time usually meant competitive games of Dwindle Deck which he usually won. Roger will be remembered for his patience, sense of humor, kindness, generosity, and humbleness.

After a long battle with lung cancer, Roger died at home on November 25, 2025, at the age of 85. Blessed to have shared his life are his wife of 62 years, Helen Jean, sons Brian and Bruce (Beth) and daughter Brenda (John) Notheis of Hot Springs; granddaughter Hayley (Mackenzie) Johnson of Groton, SD; grandson Tobie (Danny) Sumi of Los Angeles, CA; great-grandchildren Mac and Adele of Groton, SD; and many friends and relatives. He was proceeded in death by his parents and sister.

Funeral services will be held on December 1st, 2025 at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church, Hot Springs, SD. Memorials can be designated to St. John's Lutheran Church.

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