Roger William Hodel
Roger William Hodel, born July 25, 1949, was taken from us in a tragic motorcycle accident, on Highway 95 at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2008.
Roger was Born in Milwaukee, Wis., to Merlin and Inez Hodel. Roger went to school in Milwaukee and graduated from Custer High School in 1967.He served in the Army from 1968-1971, for the most part near Seoul, Korea.
Roger often joked that the song “I've Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash, was written for him.
He's worked so many jobs, just to name a few: the oil fields in Wyoming, underground mining in Utah, timber faller in Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, California, Oregon, New Mexico and Utah and a hunting guide in Wyoming, along with various other jobs that kept him outside. Roger was currently working for Foust Logging Inc., in Bonners Ferry.
Roger and Diane met in 1993 in Darrington, Wash., while Roger was working at Rocky Mountain Helicopter and she at the U.S. Forest Service.
They moved to Idaho in 1997, and married in 2001. They loved the life they had built in Idaho and are truly grateful to their friends in North Idaho that have jumped in to help, during this time of great loss.
Roger lived an adventurous life, including skydiving (more than 120 jumps), riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing and downhill skiing.
He loved the outdoors, loved spending time with friends and enjoyed his days.
He was an easy-going, fun-loving, kind-hearted and gentle man, who will be greatly missed, and never forgotten. Jesse has fond memories of his baby brother taking risks that no one else would, and living his life the way he wanted to live it.
Roger is survived by his wife, Diane of Naples, Idaho; his father, Merlin of Redgranite, Wis.; brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Sue Hodel of Vermillion, Ohio; sister and brother-in-law, Trish and Gordon Brodbeck of Menomonee Falls, Wis.; daughter, Erin Sheahan and grandson Trent Green of Darrington, Wash.; seven nieces and nephews and many life-long friends in Wyoming and Idaho (You know who you are).
He was preceded in death by his mother Inez (Hueb-schen) Hodel on Aug. 21, 1991; his father-in-law, E.R.(Bud) McCafferty on Aug. 27, 1994; and his mother-in-law, Dorothy (Hain) McCafferty on Oct. 22, 2003.
A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. at the Great Northwest Territories Event Center, located one mile east of Naples on Highway 95 at milepost 498
Roger's family invites you to share your memories at the ceremony or via the Web site
Donations may be made in his name to: American Cancer Society 728 134th St S.W. Suite 101 Everett, WA 98204, in honor and remembrance of all his family and friends who have battled cancer.
The Bonners Ferry Funeral Home assisted the family with memorial arrangements.
Family and friends are invited to sign Roger's online guest book at www.bonnersferryfuneralhome.com.