Rogelio "Roger" Naanep

Rogelio Mamaril Naanep, known to many as Roger, Daddy, or “Bags,” died Wednesday, February 7, 2024.

Though he spent the bulk of his 86 years in and around Des Moines, Iowa, Roger was born a world away, the first son of José and Caridad Naanep, on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, September 18, 1937. At age five, he moved with his family to Lanai, Hawaii, where he spent most of his youth. He often reminisced about his time as a shooting guard on the basketball team at Lanai High, and sneaking out of his house to meet friends on the beach.

Roger would return to the Philippines to attend Far Eastern University in Manilla, where he studied medical technology, after which he worked at San Lazaro Hospital as a phlebotomist. Eventually, he would travel abroad to pursue even bigger dreams.

In 1973, Roger met Cecilia Villalobos. She did not like him. By and by, Roger’s unabashed persistence and caring nature wooed Cece, as she was known to friends. One year later, they married; July 13, 2024, will mark their 50th wedding anniversary.

Roger and Cecilia had their first son, Shane Michael Naanep of Iowa City, in 1976; and their second, Kenneth Lee Naanep of New York City, in 1980.

As a young father, Roger loved to jog. He would run up to 8 miles every Sunday, circling Gray’s Lake four times per session. He tried his hardest to instill in his sons the passion he felt for the Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame football—in this goal, he succeeded only halfway. Roger was also a voracious reader, favoring the historical fiction of James Mitchner and the espionage thrillers of Tom Clancy. More recently, he would pore over picture books, from world photography to popular history to a favorite book of maps, carefully reading every caption. He was never done learning.

In the later years of his life, Roger’s happiest moments were spent with family, sure, but more importantly: watching deer graze and squirrels climb the trees outside his back door from the comfort of his well-worn burgundy recliner. Anytime a red bird (especially a cardinal) would alight on the feeder hung in his yard, he would remind anyone in earshot that they were in for some good luck.

He is survived by his wife, Cecilia; sons, Shane and Kenneth; and children-in-law, Heather DeBord of Iowa City and Joe Sevier of New York City. When Shane met Heather in 2003, he became the proud grandfather of Heather’s daughter, Haleigh, whom he affectionately referred to as “the little girl.” He loved every minute he spent as great-grandfather to Haleigh’s young children, Maverick and Crew, and also thrilled to any occasion he was able to play lolo to his many grandpuppys, including Wrigley, Max, Stella, Archie, Louie, Monty, and many more.

Visitation will be held from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 16, 2024, at Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m.

All expressions of sympathy are welcome, including flowers, cards, or contributions to the Children’s Cancer Connection of Johnston, Iowa. Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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