Strohbehn, Roger W.

Roger W. Strohbehn, 80, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, at the Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha after a long battle with cancer. A visitation will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Private graveside services will be held at a later date.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years; brothers, Kenneth (Barbara) of Gladbrook and Dale (Priscilla) of Newton; sisters, Rosemary O'Connell of Tyler, Texas and Eleanor Sandbach of Sarasota, Fla.; sister-in-law, Elaine (Jerry) Tubaugh of Belle Plaine; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Merle and Harold.

Roger was born Jan. 20, 1932, at home in rural Tama County to Roy and Jessie Mitchell Strohbehn. He graduated from Dinsdale High School in 1949. He received a B.S. degree from Iowa State University, where he was a member of Farmhouse fraternity. Upon graduation, he entered the United States Air Force serving as a pilot. Following military service, he married Cheryl Bordwell on Aug. 19, 1959, in Reinbeck, Iowa. He returned to college, earning a master's degree from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois.

He was employed for a number of years as an economist for the Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C. Upon retirement he returned to his native Iowa.

He was an active Linn County Master Gardener. He enjoyed gardening, especially growing chrysanthemums, restoring a TR-3 sports car, traveling and playing bridge.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Hospice House of Mercy or a charity of the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.cedarmemorials.com under obituaries.

Published Jan. 20, 2013 in The Gazette