Thomas J. Roggeman

1931 - 2018

Thomas J. Roggeman

Sept. 5, 1931 - August 17, 2018

MISHAWAKA, IN - Thomas John “Rogge” Roggeman, 86, former professional football player and longtime college and high school football coach, died peacefully of natural causes Friday, Aug. 17, at his home in Chandler, Arizona.

Services will be in Roggeman's hometown of Mishawaka, IN, and Granger, IN.

Visitation and a Rosary will be at the Bubb Funeral Chapel from 6-8 p.m. on the evening of Friday, Aug. 24. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Saturday, Aug. 25 at 10:30 a.m. followed by a prayer service at Fairview Cemetery. The family invites everyone back to St. Pius X after the service for a luncheon gathering.

Roggeman will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather as well as a football legend.

Roggeman's playing career began at Mishawaka High School where he was a two-way starter on the varsity football team from 1946-1948. During his senior season, Roggeman was named team captain and earned All-Twin City and All-Conference honors as an offensive guard.

Roggeman attended Purdue University where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and master of arts degree in education upon graduation in 1953. He was a two-way starter for the Boilermakers' 1952 Big Ten Co-Championship team. He played 52 minutes against the University of Notre Dame and 56 minutes against Michigan University during his senior season.

After graduating from Purdue, Roggeman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he earned the rank of first lieutenant. He served during the Korean War in a demilitarized area.

While a Marine, Roggeman played for the base football team in Quantico, VA. That team won the All-Marine Corps Championship, the Eastern Division All-Service Championship, and lost in the All-Service Championship game at Fort Ord, CA.

When Roggeman completed his military commitment, he joined the Chicago Bears and played for legendary owner and coach, George “Poppa Bear” Halas. Roggeman played offensive guard from 1955-1957 with the highlight of his career coming when he started in the National Football League 1956 Championship game against the New York Giants.

After Roggeman retired from the NFL, he found his true calling in life as a high school and college football coach. Roggeman's players remember him as a motivational force who would inspire teams to play out of love for each other, reaching towering heights of effort and intensity.

Although always a fierce competitor, Roggeman felt his coaching had the most impact when he saw his former players living successful lives, carrying out the lessons of character he taught them every day.

A highly sought after public speaker, Roggeman would take audiences from laughter to tears to chills as his powerful voice rang throughout locker rooms, arenas, and banquet halls.

Roggeman began his coaching career at South Bend Washington High School as an assistant coach in 1958. It was there that he met the love of his life, Florence Justine Kurpiewski.

The couple married in 1958 and remained happily wed until Florence passed away in 2007, one year shy of their 50th wedding anniversary.

As a head coach at Washington, Roggeman compiled a record of 77-18-7 with undefeated seasons in 1961, 1964, 1967, and 1969. The 1969 team was voted Indiana State Champions.

Roggeman returned to his alma mater, Purdue University, where he coached the freshman team, the junior varsity team, and the defensive line from 1970-1977.

He continued his career at the University of Arizona from 1978-1986 where he coached the defensive line, and later, inside linebackers. At Arizona, Roggeman coached some of the best linebackers ever to play at the school including Ricky Hunley, Lamont Hunley, and Byron Evans, all of whom went on to play in the NFL.

In 1987, Roggeman coached at the University of Southern California where he served as the defensive special teams coordinator and inside linebacker coach. Roggeman coached in three Rose Bowls at USC, including the Trojans' 1990 Rose Bowl Championship team.

Roggeman finished his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at the University of Cincinnati in 1993-1994. His 1993 defense allowed just 17.9 points per game, ranking 20th in the nation.

In retirement, Roggeman was an active member of the Mishawaka High School Alumni Association and Washington High School Panther Club. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, especially on pilgrimages to visit the holy shrines of his beloved Roman Catholic faith.

His happiest moments were when he was with his wife, surrounded by his five children and their families.

Thomas John Roggeman was born Sept. 5, 1931 in Mishawaka, IN, to the late William and Clara Roggeman. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 49 years, Florence Roggeman, and his son, Thomas “Rock” Roggeman II.

Roggeman leaves behind four children, Karen of Philadelphia, Julie (Michael) King of Orefield, PA, Pamela (Andrew) Morrill of Chandler, AZ, and Timothy “Buck” (Ginny) of Pacific Grove, CA. He was a proud Poppa to his six grandchildren, Brandon King, Matthew (Ruthie) King, Brittany King, Andrew Morrill, Annie Morrill, and Claire Roggeman); and four step-grandchildren, Stephanie Morrill, Amanda Morrill Pearson, Katherine Morrill, and Zachary Kamp.