Date of death: 12/4/2023
Saint Meinrad Class: C 1972
Roger Gerdes of Griffith, Indiana, age 73, passed away at his home on Monday, December 4, 2023. He is survived by his loving brothers Kent Gerdes, Craig Gerdes (Cecilia), Dennis Gerdes (Edith), David Gerdes (Sherry) and Michael Gerdes (Svetlana); cousins, Fred Naumann (Brenda) and Archbishop Joseph Naumann of Kansas City, Kansas; his dear friend Michelle Sura; many loving nieces and nephews; and numerous other loving friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Dolores Gerdes and brothers Jeffrey Gerdes and Louis Gerdes.
Roger was born on March 7, 1950 in St. Louis, MO. He grew up in Griffith and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond in 1968. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO. Roger lived many places in the succeeding years including Chicago, Taipei Taiwan, Alexandria Virginia and a long stretch in Miramar Florida. He returned to the Chicago area to be near his widowed mother in 2006. He was a devoted companion and help to Dolores for the next eight years, during which he spent nearly every weekend visiting and helping her with errands, shopping and chores. He returned to Griffith upon his retirement in 2015 where he lived out his remaining years.
Roger had a great wit; he enjoyed enlivening gatherings with family and friends; he was a natural performer, an avid and competitive game player, and a most daunting Scrabble opponent. He loved to spread joy and will be dearly missed.