Roger Francis "Doc" West

Roger Francis West, 92, of Clarendon
Roger "Doc" Francis West died peacefully on November 24 at the St. Joseph Kervick Residence in Rutland. He was born December 1, 1932 in Salisbury, Vermont, third child of Francis West and Ruby Nichols West. Doc graduated from Wallingford High School, and soon after, enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served as a jet engine technician. In 1956 Doc married Ruth Johnson, and they were together for 69 years. In 1965 Doc and Ruth built a house on the Johnson farm in Clarendon. Doc worked for many years as a driver for Guy Wilson trucking in Rutland, and for Roadway. His experiences in tractor-trailers provided source material for many entertaining stories, usually told with colorful vocabulary. His memory for details was extraordinary, and he could spin stories that would delight family and friends for hours. He had a faultless sense of direction and an encyclopedic knowledge of Vermont back roads.
Doc was a long-time member of the Rutland Moose Lodge, where he expecially enjoyed dancing with Ruth. He also served on the Clarendon selectboard. Doc and Ruth loved spending time on their boat "Day Off" on Lake Champlain, and travelled as far as Quebec City by water. He was an avid reader with particular interest in Vermont history, and served as the unofficial historian for generations of the West/Nichols family.
Doc was predeceased by his wife Ruth, his brother Paul West and Paul's sons Gary West and Alan West; sister Mary West Shedd, and half-brother Leonard West. He is survived by nephew Jerome Shedd of Ripton, Vermont and his daughter; niece Diane Shedd Wozniak of Altamont, New York and her children and grandchildren; Leonard's children and grandchildren; Alan's children; and numerous half-cousins.
The family wishes to thank Ruth's niece Stacey Bowen and nephew Michael Johnson, and Alan's widow Priscilla West for their tireless devotion to Doc's welfare.
Calling hours will be on Saturday, December 6, 2 pm - 4 pm, followed by a brief service, at Aldous Funeral Home, 44 N Main Street, Rutland.
Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Joseph Kervick Residence, 131 Convent Avenue, Rutland, VT 05701.