Roger Howard Beckendorf
courtesy photo
Roger Beckendorf
POLSON - Roger Howard Beckendorf, age 74, passed away on Sept. 7, 2015, in Polson. He was born in Portland, Oregon, on June 3, 1941, the oldest son of Howard and Dorothy Beckendorf.
At the age of three, he moved with his family to New Jersey, but the family later returned to the west coast and settled in Greenbrae, California. Roger attended school there and was active in drama and music. In 1963, while attending college at Humboldt State University, he met his future wife, Claudette May Crowe, in a production of “Pirates of Penzance.” They married in 1965. For their honeymoon, they drove through Yellowstone National Park towards Bozeman to Roger’s first job with the U.S. Forest Service.
During his career with the Forest Service, Roger worked in Darby, Hamilton, Lolo, and finally moved to Plains in 1972. The couple lived in Plains for the next 30 years and raised three daughters. In addition to being a devoted husband and father, Roger was active in service with the Masons, the Plains Lions Club, and the Shriners. He was a member of the Plains City Council, golf league, bowling league, and the Plains United Methodist Church.
Roger worked for the U.S. Forest Service for 25 years before taking an early retirement due to health issues. He sold real estate for several years before retiring for good and taking up traveling with Claudette. They moved to Polson in 2002 where they both enjoyed time on the golf course and singing in the church choir.
Roger’s wife of 50 years, Claudette; his daughter Nancy (Tim) McGonigal with grandchildren Molly and Evan of Great Falls; his daughter Judi (Ryan) Haskins with granddaughters Shelby and Avery of Bozeman; and his daughter Carol (Toby) Gibbons of Portland, Oregon, survive him. Roger also leaves behind his brothers Steve (Cindy) Beckendorf of Oakland, California, and Don (Sue) Beckendorf of Menifee, California; in addition to numerous extended family members. His beloved dog Sugar will also miss him. His parents and five infant grandchildren preceded him in death.
A celebration of Roger’s life has been held. A private family interment will be held in Plains at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent in his name to the United Methodist Church of Polson. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thelakefuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Arrangements are being directed by The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory.
