ROGGOW, Ralph Robert - b. December 7, 1941 - d. September 17, 2022

[patyrn]

Ralph Robert Roggow, age 80, of Howard, Kansas, passed away September 17, 2022 at his home.  He was born December 7, 1941 at Lucas, South Dakota at the home of his parents, Robert "Bob" and Ferne (Rogers) Roggow.  Ralph was the middle of three chidlren born to the family.

Ralph graduated from Burke High School in Burke, South Dakota in 1959.  After graduation, during the summer he worked for a Belle Fouche rancher bucking hay bales.  He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1959 and worked in electronics.  He accepted a commissioning program that enabled him to attend college at the Universityh of Oklahoma.  Graduating in 1969 from OU with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, he then proceeeded to flight training and flew S-2 submarine hunter aircraft.

Ralph married JoAnn (Freeman) Handte on May 1, 1970.  From a previous marriage, he had a son, Robert and JoAnn also had a son from a previous marriage, Louis.  From their marriage, they had two daughters, Jennifer and Lori.  Ralph and JoAnn lived in various lcoations during his service, and upon his retirement from the Navy at the rank of Lieutenant Commander, they settled on a dairy farm in Burke, South Dakota.  After farming for 8 years, he then began an Ag Spraying Service.

Ralph relocated to Howard, Kansas after retiring from farming and Ag Spraying when his wife accepted a job with the local medical clinic.  He was a very active member of the American Legion Carter Rader Post #0149 in Howard, and his last office was that of Post Chaplain.  He was extremely proud of his youngest grandson, Jared, who graduated from the United States Navy boot camp and is continuing the tradition of miliary service. 

Ralph is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Roggow and husband, Brad of Sedan, Kansas and Lori Wittmeier and husband, Chad of Salem, South Dakota; his stepson, Louis Handte of Oklahoma' 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; his sister Violet Scheele and husband, Harry of Eugene, Oregon, and his brother, Raymond Roggow and wife, Linda of Elk Point, South Dakota.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Ferne Roggow; his wife, JoAnn Roggow; and his son, Robert Roggow. 

One of Ralph's fondest memories of traveling was when he attended an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. hosted by the Parsons High School Honor Flight of Parsons, Kansas with fellow veterans and coordinators, Mike Kastle and Eric Swanson.  The family wishes that all memorial contrinuions be sent to this wonderful program. Our dad had a memorable experience , and we hope that other veterans can enjoy the same.

Falph's family will receive friends at visitation from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 23, 2022 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022,  also at the funeral home.  Memorial contributions made to the Parsons High School Honor Flight can be mailed to or left with the funeral home.  Services have been entrusted to Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)