Roger Bybee

1938 - 2022

ROGER WYETT BYBEE, 83
Roger Wyett Bybee died peacefully in his home in Carrabelle, Florida on 15 March 2022, the Ides of March, after a prolonged illness. He was 83 years old.
Roger was born on 24 December 1938 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Leighton Wyett Bybee and Annette Greathouse Bybee (later Annette Bybee Souders). Roger was younger brother to Ronald Kay Bybee. All preceded Roger in death.

He is survived by his wife, Gathana Parmenas; his children, Bruce P. Bybee, Gregory M. Bybee, Keith J. Bybee and spouse Jennifer C. Bybee, and Lisa M. Bybee and spouse Daniel T. Baker; and his grandchildren Bruce C.T. Bybee, Evan C.C. Bybee, and Ava C.C. Bybee.
After graduating from Santa Fe High School in 1957 and the University of New Mexico in 1963, he became a professional electrical engineer at The Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Company, having served as an estimator there before graduation.
While at Reynolds, Roger was a design engineer for large-scale projects including the PERA building and Reeves Generating Station in New Mexico, as well as portions of the Nevada National Security Site. He was instrumental in the development of the Aztec Radiant Heating and Ocate outdoor equipment divisions at Reynolds.
In 1968, Roger independently co-founded Creative Development Company to develop, manufacture, and distribute Glitter Gulch, Michael Jenkinson's Las Vegas board game. The game features graphic design by Karl Tani and is considered by Roger's children to be the finest casino board game extant.
In 1971, Roger left Reynolds and formed Bybee Engineering, where he continued his electrical engineering design services. Over time, Roger was called upon to give expert witness testimony as an electrical engineer and forensic investigator. Professional and formidable as an investigator and expert on behalf of both plaintiff and defense attorneys, Roger gradually migrated his practice to include less design work and more forensic investigation, with his final years in practice exclusively concentrating on the latter.
Roger was widely read and intellectually curious. He was a student of astronomy and the histories of mathematics and early civilizations, as well as of the geology and archeology of New Mexico. He led his children on fossil and artifact expeditions, snowshoe treks, and hunts with bow and arrow and flintlock long guns. He coached youth soccer and was technical consultant on all family science fair projects. A connoisseur of single malt scotch, he made himself available to discuss and advise, with such conversations leading inexorably to a recommendation of Highland Park.
Along with Viola C. Bybee and Otis L. Beaty Jr., Roger developed commercial real estate in the Santa Fe area, including the downtown mixed-use facility designed by Richard Halford and formerly known as La Esquina Building. Roger and Viola also built two custom homes in Santa Fe for their family. In 1982, Roger invented and commercialized Power-Disc, a proprietary voltage drop calculator for unit and distributed impedance loads suitable for office and field use.
In 2001 Roger moved to Carrabelle, Florida to continue his practice and eventually retire. He was a vibrant and active part of old Santa Fe and Carrabelle, and he will be missed greatly by family and friends throughout the country.
At Roger's request, his remains were cremated and services for immediate family in New Mexico will be held. The family is grateful for condolences, but declines flowers and donations.