Roger Opheim

Roger D. Opheim passed away peacefully at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Death was due to lung cancer.

Roger was born to Bernold and Gladys Opheim on a farm near Bode, Iowa on July 28, 1925. He was the eldest of five sons.

Upon graduation from Bode High School in 1942, he attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa for one year. He then enlisted in the Army Air Corps; 15th Air Force, top turret gunner flying on a B-24 Liberator bomber based in Italy. He trained at Aerial Gunnery School in Laredo, Texas.

After being honorably discharged, he enrolled at Iowa State University where he secured an Electrical Engineering degree in 1949. In 1946 he married Barbara Underberg of Ottosen, IA.

He began his career in the aviation industry with Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, KS. He was recruited from Boeing by Bill Lear and was asked to join Lear’s group in developing the prototype and eventually the first Lear jet. He was thrilled with the opportunity. His area was development of the cockpit avionics.

Some years later, Roger rejoined the Boeing Company and ultimately retired from Boeing in 1990. His last project at Boeing was cockpit avionics modification of Air Force One for President George H.W. Bush.

In 1980 Roger was re-united with June M. Maine a friend from their high school days. They were married in 1985.

Roger will be lovingly missed. He is survived by his wife June; a brother Dennis of Huntsville, AL; daughters, Susan, Lee Ann and Lynn of Wichita, KS, Lori of Las Vegas, NV; sons, Bob, Bruce and Danny of Wichita, KS, Chris of Kansas City, Scott of Oklahoma City, OK; step-sons, Steve Maine of Clear Lake, IA, Mike Maine of Des Moines, IA; step-daughters, Missy Maine of Des Moines, IA and Molly Gnaegy of Centennial, CO.

A memorial service will be held in Wichita, KS. A private celebration of his life will be held by his Des Moines, West Des Moines and Colorado family on January 23, 2010.

Roger’s family appreciates the kindness shown him by the staff at Bickford Cottage in West Des Moines. And also, the special care for Roger and his family given by Vicki, Cathy and Rich at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, IA.

God Bless you Roger. We will love you always.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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