April 21, 1931 – July 24, 2015

Roger was born April 21, 1931 to Roger Sheaffe Loring, D.D.S. and Phebe Sandwith Loring. He joined sister, Margaret and brother, James or “Bud.”

He spent most of his youth working on local fishing boats in the summer with his friends. He spent one summer working at the University of Washington Labs.

He graduated from Friday Harbor High School where he was a member of an award winning basketball team, and started college at Western Washington University in Bellingham.

When the Korean War broke out, Roger joined the Navy. On completion of his service, he again attended Western Washington University and graduated as a high school math and science teacher.

Roger was a skin diver for most of his adult life. At age 26, he bought the equipment and without any training taught himself how to dive.

He was teaching and coaching junior high basketball, when on summer break he met his wife, Lynn, in Friday Harbor. They were married in August and returned to Bellevue for Roger’s last year of teaching there.

The next summer they moved back to Friday Harbor. Roger taught math and science for 21 years at Friday Harbor High School until his retirement in 1986. He enjoyed his teaching and basketball coaching and was pleased that in some cases he was teaching the children of his childhood friends.

He and fellow teacher, Karl Grossarth, were the first local summer rangers at American and English camps.

He was a past master of the local chapter of the Masonic Lodge.

He was a 60 year member of the American Legion.

The following was written by his longtime friend and fellow teacher in Bellevue, Gene Paterson:

Roger At 70

Here is to you:

Watcher of clouds, petter of cats, shucker of shellfish, lover of dogs, cutter of wood, walker of paths, catcher of crab, troller of salmon, diver of seas – Your are always up to something.

Here is to you:

Keeper of history, collector of artifacts, teller of tales, tender of gardens, gaffler of flotsom and jetsom, knower of mysteries of nature – Your days are full.

Here is to you:

Responsible citizen, teacher of youth, coach and competitor, kind tutor, booster of goals – You leave quite a mark.

Here is to you:

Civic activities, serious thinker, contributor, letter writer, rambunctious debater – You are a force for the good.

Here is to you:

You served your country, touched the lives of hundreds of students, been a loving and loyal husband, won a community’s respect, served your Masonic Brothers and keep on making society a better please.

You, our good and noble friend, have made a difference. No one can ask for more than that.

He and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage last year. Roger was 84 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Lynn, stepdaughter Lisa, niece Phebe Smith and her family, and nephew James Loring.

Roger has been cremated.  His ashes will be buried at the Valley Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. Celebrations of his life will follow at the Masonic Lodge and the American Legion Club. Friends and family are invited to attend.