Roger Gietzen

When reflecting on the life of Roger Gietzen, it is clear that he lived his life to bring honor and glory to the Lord he loved. Although he accomplished so much of which to be proud, he was a humble man whose greatest joy was found in being with the ones he loved. Roger was an honorable and hardworking man who fully immersed himself in whatever task lay before him. A loving husband and devoted father, he was filled with unspeakable joy to witness his family tree blossom to include the grandchildren he treasured. Roger will be deeply missed, but his timeless legacy will be proudly carried on by those who follow him. The decade of the 1930s is forever remembered as the decade that was clouded by the dark days of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce, the unemployment rate soared, and a crippling drought added strain to an already struggling agricultural industry. Despite the challenges around them, a bustling family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was able to focus their attention on an exciting time in their own lives as they were eagerly awaiting the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over as the new year dawned on 1935 when the son they named Roger C. drew his first breath. He was the youngest of five children born to his parents, Fred P. and Blanche (Hosmer) Gietzen, and he was twelve years younger than his next closest sibling, which meant he was quite the surprise. Joined in his family by his older siblings, Gladys, Robert, Fran, and Jerry, Roger experienced a fairly typical upbringing for the youth of his generation. His father worked as a general building contractor while his mother was a busy homemaker. While growing up Roger enjoyed things like fishing, baseball, and basketball, and it was a family tradition to spend a lot of time with his cousins. He attended St. James Catholic Elementary where he became best friends with Pat Quinn. Rogers high school years found him at Catholic Central High School. After graduating from high school in 1951, Roger enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 and became a private at West Point Preparatory Academy. He was commissioned by Representative Gerald R. Ford to West Point in 1954 and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1958 with a Bachelors Degree in Military Science. Roger trained as a fighter and bomber pilot in the Air Force and became the youngest pilot to eject and survive a crash on take off in Okefenokee Swamp. Life was forever changed for Roger when he met the young girl of his dreams. Her name was Elizabeth Rooney, and they met on a blind date in New York while Roger was attending West Point. With the desire to share the rest of their lives together he and Elizabeth were married on the day after he graduated in 1958. Together they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Jane, in Columbus, Ohio. In 1965 Roger left the Air Force as a captain and returned to Grand Rapids. He accepted a management position with Consumers Power, and the family lived in Bay City, Grand Rapids, Jackson, and then moved back to Grand Rapids. He later moved to Newaygo. Roger was deeply saddened with Elizabeths death in 1978. It was while working at Consumers Power that Roger found happiness again with a woman named Pamela Etterman. They officially met in the work cafeteria, although they had been eyeing each other for three months before they began dating. Roger and Pamela were married on November 24, 1979, in Newaygo. They were true companions who were also best friends. Roger and Pamela enjoyed being together and had a shared love of golf. They also became the owners of West Michigan Security Systems until they retired. Throughout his entire lifes journey, Rogers days were enriched in numerous ways. He was a man of deep faith who was fully committed to the beliefs that were engraved upon his heart. Roger had an unwavering personal relationship with the Lord and served in a variety of ways at his church, Pine Grove Christian Reformed Church in Howard City, including as a deacon and as a youth leader. He was proud to be selected as a delegate for the electoral college for George H. W. Bush in 1988. Some of Rogers favorite activities as an adult were hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, snow-skiing, windsurfing, and just enjoying time on Bills Lake in Newaygo. In addition, he enjoyed playing Bridge, reading, and was a friend of Bill W. for 26 years. After retiring in the late nineties, Roger had more time for pursuing some of his interests. He and Pamela moved to South Carolina where they had more time to golf together, and it was only recently that they moved back to Michigan to be closer to family. Roger loved being a grandfather and was a regular at several of his grandchildrens events and activities. Family parties were another favorite pastime, and there was nothing like being the good fairy at milestone birthdays. Rogers cousin, Jim Russell, was one of his closest friends as an adult. A man of honor, integrity, and strong moral convictions, Roger Gietzen was an extraordinary man to know and love. He had a generous spirit and loved all Gods children with no strings attached. Rogers devotion to his family was unmatched, and his faith was an inspiration to all who were within his reach. Although he will be deeply missed, his family and friends find comfort in knowing that he is enjoying perfect peace in his eternal home. Roger C. Gietzen died on Tuesday, March 11, 2014. Rogers family includes his wife, Pamela; daughter, Jane (Susan Cleland) Gietzen of Grand Rapids; grandchildren, Meaghan and Kierra Gietzen of Grand Rapids; brother-in-law, George (Jane) Etterman; sisters-in-law, Peggy Jo (Jerry) Packard; Phyllis (Mike, deceased) Miller; many special nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews. Roger was preceded in death by his first wife, Elizabeth, parents, and siblings. Services will be held on Wednesday, March 19, 2014, 11:00 a.m. and visitation one hour prior to the service at Prince of Peace Catholic Church with Fr. Anthony Pelak and Fr. William Zink officiating and Military honors under the auspices of the Muskegon County Council. In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to Harbor Hospice or Spectrum Health Foundation.