Roger Leland Stuart, 76, of Ridgefield, Washington, passed into the arms of Jesus Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Vancouver, Washington, due to complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
Roger was born to Glenn and Betty Stuart on Feb. 5, 1947, in Vancouver, Washington. He graduated from Columbia River High School and went on to attend Eastern Washington University for three years prior to applying for and being accepted, a year early, into dentistry school at the University of Washington. He earned his doctorate of dental surgery (DDS) from the University of Washington in 1972.
During his time at the University of Washington, Roger met Kathy Austin. They were married on Dec. 27, 1970. In 1972, Roger and Kathy moved to Killeen, Texas, when Roger joined the U.S. Army at Fort Hood and served as a dentist. It was there that Roger and Kathy had their first of four sons, Daniel. After serving in the army for two years, Roger and Kathy moved back to Vancouver where Roger worked as an associate dentist for two years prior to setting up his own family dental practice in Hazel Dell. During this time, Roger and Kathy built a home in Ridgefield, Washington, where they lived the remainder of his life and had three more sons: Joseph, Zachary and Reuben. He ran his dental practice until his retirement in 2014.
Roger had many passions of life, perhaps the greatest being music. He was a devoted member of Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene for many decades and served on the praise and worship team there; singing and playing the guitar and saxophone alongside his sons and many friends. He participated in other music groups as well. Other hobbies included building sailboats and restoring classic Buicks and taking them to car shows and local parades. Roger also loved to spend time with his Sunday school and church small groups. His favorite means of exercise throughout his life was playing basketball, which he enjoyed into his 70s.
With a true heart of service and a desire to serve the Lord, Roger used his talents to minister to the youth at his church for many years, volunteered with the Rotary Club of Vancouver, did voluntary dentistry at the free clinic in Vancouver and shared his dental skills on multiple work and witness trips to Mexico.
Roger was a devoted and beloved husband, father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by those who survive him. In addition to his wife, Kathy, Roger is also survived by his brother, Greg, and his wife, Carmen; his son, Daniel, and wife, Sarah; son, Joseph, and wife, Sunshine; son, Zachary, and wife, Carrie; son, Reuben and wife, Kali; as well as his 19 grandchildren. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Betty Stuart.
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene, 747 Pioneer, Ridgefield, Washington, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Compassion360.org. Give online at ridgenaz.org/give (select “Compassion 360”) or mail donations to Ridgefield Church of the Nazarene: attention Compassion 360.
