Roger Alden Young, 84, of Salina, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, November 15th, 2023.
Roger was born in Boston, Massachusetts on May 6, 1939, a son of Rosetta (Logue) and Roger Alden Young.
He served in the United States Navy as an Aircraft Mechanic Crew Chief for 4 years and retired from the United States Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 after 26 years of joint service, including 2 combat tours in Vietnam as a Helicopter Pilot, flying Hueys and Cobras. Some of the awards Roger earned include the Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 OLC, Bronze Star with “V” device 2 OLC, Purple Heart with 1 OLC, and the Air Medal (15 awards).
Roger was also a conductor for Rock Island Railroad, the Sheriff of Dickinson County, Kansas, retired from Research Products as a Corporate Pilot, made 13 transatlantic solo flights to Scotland for K-State Salina, and retired as a conductor from Union Pacific.
On July 29, 1961, Roger married Patricia Dempsey.
Survivors include his three daughters, Tricia Dinwiddie, of Salina, Kansas, Bethena Hemphill (Laurence), of Gypsum, Kansas, Rosetta McBride (Roy), of New Cambria, Kansas; son, Roger Young (Terri), of Ft. Mill, South Carolina; grandchildren, Paul (Marley), Mathew, Roger (Lindsay), Nichole, Zachary (Abby), James, Ethan (Jalissa), Alaura (Devon), Gunnar, Krislynn, Emily, Eleanor;10 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews that were near and dear to his heart.
Roger is also survived by his sister, Susan Arruda (William), of Kingston, Massachusetts and brother, Gary Young (Joan), of Hanover, Massachusetts.
He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia Young; brother, Robert Young; and sister, Shirley Boulter.
Roger and Patricia (Pat) were married for more than 60 years, and even though they were stationed at multiple military installations, there was always an effort to have farmland and farm animals. Horses were always a big part of Roger’s life, along with an abundance of outdoor activities. Roger loved to hunt; he was a Hunter Safety Instructor for numerous years. Roger also supported 4H, and was an annual sponsor for the Tri Rivers Fair. Roger was a patriot through and through. He was a life member of the American Legion. He was also a proud lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge in Hope, Kansas, and the Hope United Methodist Church. The ocean was a big part of Roger’s life; he spent his early years helping his father as a commercial lobsterman. Roger loved to fish and spend time with his family at various lakes or any other substitute for the ocean, when on flat land. In retirement, Roger and Pat enjoyed spending their winters in Yuma, Arizona and had many friends in the Magnolia Village Resort.
Roger’s wishes were to be cremated and the family will have a private service. Roger will be laid to rest at the family cemetery in Massachusetts. The family would like to share the song “God’s Own Lunatics” for those who would like to have an accurate account of some of Roger’s experiences while in Vietnam. The song may be found by following this link https://youtu.be/AfHE6j_eC3U?si=Pcc93qIRBauCCQFW
The family requests donations to Kansas Honor Flight or Saline County 4-H Horse Project, in care of Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home and Crematory, 500 S. Ohio St., Salina, Kansas 67401.