1945
Roger
2017
Roger Freden
October 3, 1945 — August 12, 2017
Roger Freden, 71, of Wahpeton, ND passed away on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at his home under the care of CHI Health at Home Hospice.
Roger Freden (Gary Rogers, GR) was born in Aberdeen, SD on October 3, 1945 to Clyde “Robert” and Leota (Litskow) Freden. He graduated from Northville Northwestern High School in Melette, SD in 1963 and later attended Brown Institute Broadcasting School in Minneapolis, MN. Roger was a member of the Army Reserve for six years. In his radio career he broadcast all sports from billiards to state track meets.
He married Jean Gillham on July 19, 1975.
GR was known to number all of the games he broadcast; his last game was number 5,062. He was known as being able to describe games so his radio audience could visualize what was happening. He took great pride in knowing how to pronounce all of the player’s names and was so detailed he knew many school colors and mascots.
One of his greatest joys was traveling with the NDSCS Wildcats and NDSU Bison teams.
GR was a member of: the Wahpeton Fire Department where he served for 38 years, only retiring at the mandatory age of 60, the American Legion where he was past district commander, and also the Wahpeton City Council for 20 years serving on various committees.
During his broadcasting career he received many awards and recognitions. He was honored to be inducted into the NDSCS Wildcat Hall of Fame and named booster of the year for the Wahpeton Huskies in 1999.
He is survived by his son John of Grand Forks, ND, daughter Elizabeth Meyer and granddaughter Harper Meyer of Fargo, ND, and his special friend Jane Erickson and her children: Amy Edwards and her daughter Samantha, Laura (Conrad) Fox and her sons Errol and Flynn, Melissa Tighe and kids Jonathon and Anna, and Kelly Link and his daughters Kayla and Josie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Leota Freden.
In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the North Dakota State College of Science Alumni Foundation Gary Rogers (GR) Legacy Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to NDSCS Alumni Foundation, 800 6th St. N, Wahpeton, ND 58076 with GR in the memo line; or go online to www.ndscsalumni.com and go to donate, and type in GR Scholarship in the name. NDSCS will track, monitory, and recognize your gift.
In following his wishes, there will be no funeral service. A gathering will be announced at a later date.
Gary Rogers, Good Night and Good Sporting.
Roger Freden (Gary Rogers, GR) was born in Aberdeen, SD on October 3, 1945 to Clyde “Robert” and Leota (Litskow) Freden. He graduated from Northville Northwestern High School in Melette, SD in 1963 and later attended Brown Institute Broadcasting School in Minneapolis, MN. Roger was a member of the Army Reserve for six years. In his radio career he broadcast all sports from billiards to state track meets.
He married Jean Gillham on July 19, 1975.
GR was known to number all of the games he broadcast; his last game was number 5,062. He was known as being able to describe games so his radio audience could visualize what was happening. He took great pride in knowing how to pronounce all of the player’s names and was so detailed he knew many school colors and mascots.
One of his greatest joys was traveling with the NDSCS Wildcats and NDSU Bison teams.
GR was a member of: the Wahpeton Fire Department where he served for 38 years, only retiring at the mandatory age of 60, the American Legion where he was past district commander, and also the Wahpeton City Council for 20 years serving on various committees.
During his broadcasting career he received many awards and recognitions. He was honored to be inducted into the NDSCS Wildcat Hall of Fame and named booster of the year for the Wahpeton Huskies in 1999.
He is survived by his son John of Grand Forks, ND, daughter Elizabeth Meyer and granddaughter Harper Meyer of Fargo, ND, and his special friend Jane Erickson and her children: Amy Edwards and her daughter Samantha, Laura (Conrad) Fox and her sons Errol and Flynn, Melissa Tighe and kids Jonathon and Anna, and Kelly Link and his daughters Kayla and Josie.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Leota Freden.
In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the North Dakota State College of Science Alumni Foundation Gary Rogers (GR) Legacy Scholarship Fund. Donations can be sent to NDSCS Alumni Foundation, 800 6th St. N, Wahpeton, ND 58076 with GR in the memo line; or go online to www.ndscsalumni.com and go to donate, and type in GR Scholarship in the name. NDSCS will track, monitory, and recognize your gift.
In following his wishes, there will be no funeral service. A gathering will be announced at a later date.
Gary Rogers, Good Night and Good Sporting.
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