Roger W. Adam
Long-time Shelby resident, Roger W. Adam, age 92, died Friday, September 26, 2014 at Crestwood Care Center in Shelby.
Roger was born October 12, 1921 in Britton, Michigan the son of the late Frank and Carrie (Schull) Adam. He was a 1939 graduate of Shelby High School serving as class president for three years and represented the school at Buckeye Boys State in 1938.
After graduation he attended Heidelberg College on a government program, and as a result of that schooling, he worked as a nitrator (mixer of chemicals in making explosives for bombs) at the Plumbrook TNT plant in Sandusky. In 1942, Roger enrolled in the government’s V5 program and attended many Navy flight schools around the country. He received his Navy wings as a pilot, navigator and bombardier in 1944. As an Ensign, he left for the South Pacific in 1945 and flew Navy 4 engine patrol bombers from several islands including Iwo Jima. He flew cover for the surrender of the Japanese at the island of Truk and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 2 stars and other campaign ribbons. He was released from active duty in 1946 and in 1947 he married Catherine “Katie” Sheridan.
As Roger and Katie began their life together, Roger began his working career at Miller Shelby Products. After several name changes, it became Quanex and over the next 35 ½ years, Roger had many different jobs there. In 1982 he retired as the Director of Industrial Relations.
Roger was very active in community endeavors, serving on the following boards: Rehabilitation Services of North Central Ohio, United Fund of Shelby, Shelby Girl Scout Little House, Girl Scout Council of Mansfield and St. Mary’s Church Cemetery. When his son Denny was young, he served as a Little League baseball coach and in his later years, he was a courier for Med Central Shelby Hospital for 22 years, and delivered Meals on Wheels. He and his wife Katie were proud recipients of the Jess Rath Christian Volunteer Service Award. In 2010, Roger was inducted into the Shelby High School Hall of Distinction. He enjoyed gardening and woodworking.
Roger is survived by his children: Dennis (Elizabeth “Liz”) Adam of Shelby; Mary Ann (William “Bill”) Vaughan of Auburn, CA; Melinda (Bruce) Berdanier of Fairfield, CT; 5 grandchildren:
Renee Adam, Ben Vaughan, Katie (Anthony) Boyes, Aaron (Jessica) Berdanier, and Reid (Catherine) Berdanier; 2 sisters-in-law: Jerry Adam and Berdie Lambert both of Mansfield. He was preceded in death by: his dear wife, Katie in 2011; 6 brothers: Ford, Jack, Richard, Russell, Raymond, and Roscoe Adam; and a sister: Nellie Lorentz.
Friends and family may call on Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby from 5-8 PM where a Christian wake service will be conducted at 8 PM. Funeral mass will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:30 at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby with Father James Steinle officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery with military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial expressions may be made to the church or Shelby Helpline Ministries. To leave a condolence or share a memory with the Adam family, please visit
Dear Dennis, Mary Ann, Melinda, Bruce and all the family,
I was sorry to hear of the passing of “Father” and wanted to express my condolences to all of you. “Father” was a very special person, whom I admired as a family man. Now as a veteran and former pilot, I also understand and fully appreciate the stories and significance of his military accomplishments. He was, is and always will be a true hero! With tears in my eyes and pride in my heart for having known him, I salute his passing.
May God bless you, comfort you and smile with you at the remembrance of this great man!
Very respectfully yours,
Jerry
Adam family
So very sorry for the loss of your Father. Both of your parents were so nice to me
and I will miss them very much. They are together now as it should be.
Prayers and love
Ann Imhoff
Our sincere condolences to the Adams family. Roger and Jane mother Pearl ter Braak were lifelong friends who both lived at Elmcroft Assisted Living. Roger was a joy to talk with especially about his WW II experiences. A wonderful man who gave much back to his country and community.
To the Adam Family ,
So sorry to hear Roger death . He n Katie were very special people . I got to know them when I was their paper carrier for the news journal. MAY God wrap his arms around u all in very special way during this difficult time in the days to come .
Linda Stentz
Dear Denny, Mary Ann, Lindy and Families,
My sincerest sympathy to you all. May you find comfort in the passing of Roger knowing that he is reunited with his dear Katie.
I am so glad that I got to visit with him one last time this past summer in Ohio. He and Katie were such a big part of my early years on Seltzer Ave. They are on the front porch swing in heaven right now…Roger was a true gentleman and with a big heart and community minded spirit that shown throughout his lifetime.
I am forever grateful to have had Roger and Katie in my life.
May the love of your families surround you and warm memories flood your hearts with peace at this sad time.
Sincerely,
Val and Tim Brown and family
Roger Adam was a great man. I met him while working as a college kid in the summers at Quanex. I had finished undergraduate school and was contemplating graduate school. Roger spent alot of time with me discussing human resources and his career in that profession. He was a genuine person and never forgot where he came from. He was the consummate professional and a very sincere and honest person. He influenced me tremendously to pursue a career in human resources and I owe a real debt of gratitude to him. I’ve never met his children, but they can be immensely proud of their dad. He was a great man.
Our sympathy and condolences to all of you on Rogers passing. It was always so nice to visit with Roger at Elmcroft And he was such a good lifelong friend to our mom, Pearl. Memories back to Selzer Avenue. May you all find peace in knowing he is with your mom, Katie now.
Blessings to you all.
To Denny, MaryAnn and Melinda and family…So sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. He was such a kind, caring, friendly and super interesting man (not many people his age who know what skype and www. and .com mean and how to apply it!) He was always willing to learn in order to stay in touch with the family and have something interesting to talk about. It was such a wonderful experience getting know him again and visiting with all of you and some of the grandkids. My dad always spoke so highly of your dad. Even as frail as your dad was getting, he managed to come to my dad’s calling hours and I will always admire him for that. After losing my dad (almost a year to the day) I soon learned and understood why you all were so emotional when you would speak of your mom after her passing and then working together so well and effectively to be certain that your dad was organized, settled and comfortable. In peace and friendship….Laura Copeland (Melinda….keep on knitting…I like that about us!)
Dear Melinda and family, I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing. I’m so glad I got to visit with the two of you at the Hall of Distinction dinner a few years back. Your dad was a wonderful man who raised a wonderful family, and he will be greatly missed. Hugs, Sally
Dear Melinda and family,
We are very sad to hear the news, it will be the little thIngs that you remember, the quiet moments, the smiles, the laughter and although it may seem hard right now, it will be the memories of these little things that will help to push the pain away.
We will never forget spending time with your Dad in Rapid City.
You are in our hearts and prayers.
God Bless you and your family at this time.
Love
Anf and Jenette
Abu Dhabi United Arab Emirates
Dear Melinda, Denny, Mary Ann, and family,
What words can express my heartfelt sympathy at this time of loss and sorrow?
May your deep faith and love of family and friends sustain you now as
your dear father has completed his journey of life.
A fathers love , as well as a mothers love, never ends. It lives on in your
lives and in the lives of those your dad, Roger, touched. He was truly loved and respected by many. I cherished his friendship and called him
“the handy man!”
Let us continue to celebrate his beautiful and well’ lived life.
With sympathy and prayers,
Sister Margaret Rose Sczesniak OSF
Your dad and mom always seemed like an important couple in the church, as we were growing up, because they were always present….in the moment, and always together. You don’t see that much these days, and I know they both will be smiling down on all of you. Prayers and thoughts with each of you…
God Bless You
Jean Ann Fairchild
Dear Denny and the Adams Family,
I just learned that your dear father, Roger, passed away. I only got to meet Roger when he moved to Elmcroft. As my mother and brother are there, I got the chance to get to know your father as a very friendly and interesting person. His mind was sharp and he had a concern for all those who were on the same journey. He was also a very spiritual man and faith meant a lot to him. This seems evident throughout his life. At the times I was able to bring the Blessed Sacrament to the people at Elmcroft, I made sure that he knew and was able to attend to receive our Lord. I will miss him. Know that you are in my prayers as you mourn this good man, a faithful servant of God.
Blessings,
Br Jim