Roger Booth

With faith and dedication to family as his guide, Roger Booth added much to the lives of those he touched. He is remembered as a kind and gentle man, impervious in strength of character, and who lent his servant’s heart to those he loved, and all he did. Quiet by nature, he enjoyed all that life brought. He was blessed with a faith and the love of a family he held close.

Despite his passing, he has given us memories that will be forever cherished by those who knew and loved him.

Roger Elwood was lovingly welcomed into the world on November 12,1925 by Andrew and Larie (nee Bower). The second of seven children, he spent his formative years in Cadillac, Michigan, where his family made its home. Roger, during the Great Depression, attended local schools, joined the basketball and track teams, and played sousaphone in the high school band. In those years, he met Irene Asiala, the girl who held the key to his heart. Numbers two and three in their class, they were made for each other, right from the start.

During World War II, Roger was granted deferment from service to further his pharmacy education. He attended the University of Michigan, earning his Bachelor and Masters degrees. He went on to earn his PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the University of Michigan, receiving his pharmacist license and working as a part-time pharmacist while finishing his doctorate. And on April 4, 1948, with great pride, he and Irene shared marriage vows.

As Roger and Irene made their lives together, they also built their first home, from the ground up, digging the foundation with shovels. Family helped, including Roger’s brother, Phil, who lived with them while attending college. Roger’s brothers and sisters, with great dedication to family and education, worked together to ensure that each earned an undergraduate degree. Before long, the happy couple was blessed with four wonderful sons, Gary, James, Mark and David. Roger was a fine example of a dedicated, devoted and hardworking family man, helping his sons prepare not just for success in school, but also in life. Faith was very important to Roger and Irene, and they worked hard to raise their boys in a loving and Christian life. As a family, they served Westwood United Methodist Church, of which Roger and Irene were founding members.

Roger’s work eventually led his family to the Kalamazoo area, where they settled in Portage and Roger worked as a pharmacist for the Upjohn Company. He traveled extensively in Central and South America, and in South Africa. Throughout his career, Roger held membership in the Rho Chi Pharmaceutical National Honor Society. One of a select few, membership is based on those distinguished for their academic and professional achievement.) He was also a member of the Alpha Chi Sigma Fraternity.

In 1965, he received the prestigious “Upjohn Award,” and after 35 years of service, he retired in 1988. Additionally, in 1998 he was awarded the title of “Professor Emeritus” from the University of Michigan upon the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his graduation.

Very much dedicated to his work, Roger found time for pleasure, too. A talented and handy guy, he lived by a code, believing that since he could just as easily fix, build or replace something himself, instead of hiring someone else, he ought to, and in doing so, provided a working example of thrift and ingenuity. With minimal help from family or friends, Roger later built two beautiful homes for his family. He and Irene loved to square and round dance together, and their travels made for many shared memories. They especially enjoyed travel with their grandchildren, first as weekend “mystery trips” with the young ones, and later internationally. Roger also loved watching Michigan football, cheering “Go, man, go,” with a laugh as purely joyful as bells on Christmas morning.

For the last several years, Roger had been successfully battling cancer with grace, but sadly, on January 10, 2011, he suffered cardiac arrest and died unexpectedly at Bronson Hospital.

His quietly wry sense of humor, careful practicality, focused dedication, and gentle but stalwart love will be missed by all those who knew and loved him.

Visitation is Friday, January 14, 2011, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a memorial service at 5:00 p.m. at the Milwood United Methodist Church, 3919 Portage Road.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tom Booth. He is survived by his wife, Irene; their children: Gary (Katherine), James (Gayle), Mark (Jill), and David (Karen) Booth; 12 grandchildren: Heather (Paul Zaremba), Ryan (Lisa Cesar-Booth), Adam (Leslie Barnard), Joel, Karl (Suzanne), Eric, Sarah (Justin) Gilbert, Erin, Lisa, Alan, Kristin, and Christopher Booth; three great-grandchildren: Julia and Thora Zaremba, and Eliott Booth; his sisters: Corinne and Helen; brothers: Paul, Philip and Mark Booth, as well as many other relatives.

Please visit Roger’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can

submit a memory or photo, sign his memory book, or make a memorial donation to the Milwood United Methodist Church Building Fund or Loaves and Fishes.

Roger’s family was cared for by Life Story Funeral Home, Portage, 5975 Lovers Lane (344-5600).