Roger was born in the small town of Bristow, Iowa on Christmas Eve, 1928, the son of Lyle and Etta Hearn. Roger grew up with one older brother, Dale, and two younger sisters, Harriet and Norma Jean. Roger graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa with a bachelor's degree in General Engineering in 1951. He worked for Standard Oil of Indiana for two years and then served in the US Army in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia for two years. He then continued working for Standard Oil for two additional years and then joined Stern Rodgers in Denver as a Supervising Engineer.
He married Winona (Winnie) Thorne of Walsenburg, Colorado on a Sunday afternoon, January 27, 1957 in the Park Hill Methodist Church in Denver, Colorado. After their marriage they moved to Hammond, Indiana, then Fort St. John B.C. Canada, and then settled in Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1959. He accepted a position with Argonne National Laboratories in February of 1960. He worked for Argonne for the next thirty years and was Manager of Site Engineering when he retired in 1990. During this time he also obtained his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Idaho.
Roger and Winnie built a cabin on Palisades Lake in Idaho in 1968. They enjoyed spending time at the cabin with all of their dear friends boating, snowmobiling and watching the many birds and wildlife.
Roger enjoyed volunteer work, and served as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Secretary of the Idaho Section of ASME. He was also the National Officer for professional ethics. Roger was also named Mechanical Engineer of the Year for all of the Idaho/Montana Section of ASME. He served as President, Vice President, and Secretary to the Royal Vacation Homes Homeowner's Association. He also served as President of Skyline High School's Booster Club.
In 1990, after Roger retired, he and Winnie spent the winters in Sedona, Arizona. Winnie passed away November 27, 2000. Following her passing, he spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona with Judy and Jerry Farr. In Arizona he made many lasting friendships and enjoyed daily tennis and golf. In 2007, Roger moved to Sandy, Utah to be closer to his daughter and grandchildren and his greatest joys were spending time with all of them.
Roger passed away on July 6, 2016 at his home. Roger is survived by his daughter Lori (Harry) Peterson of Sandy, Utah, sister Harriet Muller of Clarksville, Iowa, and his grandchildren, Brant (Allison) Burch, Zach Peterson, Cassie Pfautsch, and Brianna Lucking.
The family wishes to thank the team at Sunrise of Sandy and Solstice Hospice for their exceptional and loving care. A private, family memorial will be held to honor Roger. In lieu of flowers, Roger asked that a donation be made in his name to the Shriner's Children's Hospital. A private family memorial is being held Roger's honor.
