John Roger Vilsack

1941 - 2023

BORN

1941

DIED

2023

John Vilsack Obituary

Name: Service for John Roger Vilsack
Start: 2023-10-05T15:00:00.000Z
Location: St. John the Beloved

Vilsack

John Roger Vilsack

Born August 23, 1941, Pittsburgh, PA. Passed peacefully July 21, 2023, Arlington, VA. Devoted husband to Donna (Shrock). Loving father of Cassandra (Gallagher) and Meagan (Ouderkirk). Proud grandfather of Patrick, Delaney, Oliver, Avery, and Langley. Great-grandfather to Juliet.

He was a master of the creative arts: an accomplished photographer, illustrator, painter, typographer and an extreme pumpkin carver. With his soothing baritone voice, Roger recorded books for the Blind & Dyslexic Organization. In his free time, he could be found biking, fly fishing, volunteering at his daughter's swim meets, or at car shows.

A product of the 'Don Draper' era of advertising, Roger led an influential career that began in the 1960's and took him from Pittsburgh to Ft. Lauderdale to Washington, DC. The Emmy-winning director was a creative force in the Washington advertising community for decades. His legacy includes many of the region's top creative directors and film production professionals whom he inspired and mentored with humor and joy every day. He made his mark at HJK&A as Creative Director and Executive Vice President where key clients included U.S. Savings Bonds, U.S. Coast Guard and National Institutes of Health. In 1989 Roger formed Vilsack Productions, a full-service film production agency with unique capabilities in conceptual and creative development.

Roger was recognized in "Who's Who in Advertising" and "Creative People of Note". His creative commercial work included Advertising Age's 100 Best TV commercials four times and earned multiple Clio, One Show, and New York International Film Festival awards. His national Emmy was the first ever awarded for a public service announcement.

Services will be held at St. John the Beloved, 6420 Linway Terrace, McLean, VA, Thursday, October 5, 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation to The Madoo Conservancy can be made in Roger's memory at https://www.madoo.org/support

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 30, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for John Vilsack

4 Entries

Joseph Amato

January 14, 2024

I was the Coast Guard liaison with Roger, Bill Goodwill and HJK&A. I don't think the Coast Guard ever had, or ever will have, a better combo of folks working to spread the word about the service's mission. Roger was a one-of-a-kind and a true friend. I will always be indebted to his talent. RIP Roger. Joe Amato.

John and Annie Sullivan

August 3, 2023

Dear Donna, Cassie ,Meghan and all your loved ones,
We are so touched by the beautiful photo of Roger and words of tribute. He was a remarkable person. How wonderful know how he has been recognized for his many accomplishments as a true artist.
He was also completely devoted to his family and they brought him much joy.
He was a lovely man, and to his friends,always gracious and kind.
May your loving family and happy memories sustain you during this time of loss.
All our Love,
John and Annie

Barbara Ramsey Wilson

August 2, 2023

Roger and I were raised in the same household by our Mothers and Aunts. Everyone liked him and as I was 8 years younger, he was my idol even to the point going to art school in the summer to working for an Ad agency. No talent there !! He had an amazing gift for all forms of Art.
Life got in the way of our seeing much of each other. He loved his beautiful wife Donna and his girls. I have special memories growing up with him.
I am broken hearted.
With deepest sympathy,
Barbara

Susan Lunz

August 1, 2023

My heart is broken to have lost someone so dear to me, and to many others. Roger and I grew up together and had a much stronger bond than the word "cousin" implies. He was an incredible talent and a humble, kind and sensitive man. He adored his wife, Donna, his daughters and their families. He had an amazingly generous spirit and a sharp wit. He and Donna visited Bill and me in Las Vegas some years ago, and it was as pleasurable as always to be in his company. If he touched your life, as he did mine, you have been blessed. In these last few years we traded emails with some frequency, and his spark was ever present, even through the physical hardships he endured. His passing leaves an unfillable space.

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