Roger A. Hillmeyer, age 77, went home to be with the Lord on August 5th, 2017.
Roger was born in Watkins, MN on November 22, 1939. When he was 4 his family moved to Cokato, MN where he lived through his high school years and again after his military service. While in high school he joined the Army Reserve. He reported for active duty in July 1957. After attending cryptography school, he was assigned to Camp Des Loges, St. Germaine, France. He reenlisted in 1961 and was called back from duty in the Philippines to report for duty with the National Security Agency at Fort Meade, Maryland. He was discharged in 1964, but remained in the military reserve until he retired in 1999.
After his active duty, he owned and operated restaurants and drive-ins in and around Cokato, MN. Later, he moved to Durango, CO where he lived for four decades. There, he once again owned a restaurant and drive-in, worked in sales and was an active member of Masonic Lodge #46 and the Al Kaly Shrine Club. For the last 8 years Roger enjoyed making new friends while living part time in Vail, AZ.
Roger enjoyed traveling, exploring the outdoors and mountains of Colorado. As a keepsake of his adventures, he collected a small jar of sand from each place he visited. Roger was an avid fan of cowboy culture and loved going to rodeos and cowboy poetry gatherings. In the summer time, he could often be seen in parades, riding with the Al Kaly Shrine's Tin Lizzies Car Club. He devoted much of his time to family and friends. Roger enjoyed spreading laughter and joy, and never met a stranger.
On August 5th, 2017, Roger left peacefully after a two-year battle with mesothelioma. He is survived by his wife Susan of 33 years, his children Megan Powers (Evergreen, CO), Carrie Hillmeyer (Melbourne, VIC, AU), Sean Hillmeyer (Eugene, OR) and Katelyn Hillmeyer (Gatlinburg, TN), 2 grandchildren (Julian and Theodore) and 5 siblings (Mary, Doris, Ruth, Susan and Paul) all residing in Minnesota.
A graveside service will be held at the Masonic Section of Greenmount Cemetery in Durango, Colorado on Saturday, September 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu flowers please send donations to the Pacific Mesothelioma Center in Los Angeles. To donate online go to http://www.phlbi.org/about/get-involved/donate/ or call 310-478-4678. Our gratitude goes to Dr. Robert Cameron and his UCLA staff for their tremendous efforts.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
5 years already. Miss you!
Susan Hillmeyer
August 10, 2022
Sue: Hello my friend. As belated as they may be, please accept my condolences for your loss. Stay strong.
B
Friend
January 7, 2018
Dear Susan and family-----I am so sorry for your loss. So enjoyed meeting all of you at Sierra and Sean's wedding, a truly wonderful and memorable event, with Roger picking us up and his delightful banter on the way to the beautiful wedding site!! Wonderful memories. You are in my heartfelt thoughts and prayers. Much love, Lois
'
Lois Blatter
September 1, 2017
Light for Roger, and family for peace and comfort.
susie hillmeyer
Sister
August 30, 2017
Thinking of you on Sat.afternoon. Peace and comfort.
Love Susie
August 30, 2017
Barbara Davis
August 17, 2017
Susan,
So sorry to hear about your loss. I hope that your memories together can ease your sorrow in the upcoming months.
Penne Fugate
August 17, 2017
Miss you so much
Susan Hillmeyer
August 16, 2017
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