Roger Welty

Salem

Sept. 20, 1949 — Nov. 3, 2017

Roger Guy Welty passed away on Nov. 3, 2017, at Salem Hospital in Salem, Oregon.

He was born to Roger Raymond and Jane Welty in Iowa City, Iowa, on Sept. 20, 1949, the oldest of four children. He graduated from Iowa State University in 1971 with a forestry degree. After graduation, he worked at temporary jobs in California, Colorado and New Hampshire.

Roger married Peggy Hildebrand on July 29, 1972. In 1973, they moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he worked for Weyerhauser Co. In 1979, they moved to Astoria, Oregon, when he took a job with the Oregon Department of Forestry in forest management. They lived in Astoria for 33 years, where they raised their family.

In 2004 he transferred to Salem after a spinal cord injury made it unsafe for him to work in the woods. For many years, he bravely fought wildfires around the state. After which, he joined an Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team.

An avid weightlifter all his life, competing nationally in his early years, Roger earned two Iowa championships. He was also an Eagle Scout and, being lovingly invested in his children’s lives, served as an assistant scoutmaster and Cub Scout pack leader. Giving guidance and support when he could, it was his greatest desire that his children learn the meaning of strength, perseverance, diligence, and most of all, love.

Always looking to better himself as well, he joined Toastmasters for public speaking. Furthermore, passionate about his Catholic faith, he was moved to join the Knights of Columbus.

Roger is survived by his wife of 45 years, Peggy Welty; daughter Cathie (Jim) Parks; daughter Theresa (Arlo) Wand; daughter Jill (Yohanner) Welty; son Mark (Shalea) Welty; son Rick (Lauren) Welty; 10 loving grandchildren; his mother, Jane Welty; sister Sandi DeMango; brother Ken (Joan) Welty; brother Ted Welty; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be Friday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m., at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 4227 Lone Oak Rd. S.E., Salem, OR 97302, preceded by the rosary at 10:15 a.m. A reception will follow the service.

Assisting the family is Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service.