ROGER JOHN SCHLAGBAUM, resident of Monte Vista, Colorado, died Saturday January 19th, 2013, at 5PM MST from congestive heart failure. Roger was born in Ottoville, Ohio, on 30th October, 1941, to Anthony A. (Tony) Schlagbaum and Gertrude C. (Bendele) Schlagbaum of Ottoville, both deceased. He was raised on the family farm and graduated from Ottoville High School in May 1959. Roger joined the United States Navy in October 1959 and served in the submarine corps on the USS Bluegill stationed in Pearl Harbor Hawaii. During the Cuban Missile Crisis the Submarine “Bluegill” patrolled the frigid Northern Pacific waters off the coast of Russia. He left the Navy in early 1964 after serving his four year hitch. Roger was married to Marian Bennett of Antwerp, Ohio, on 11th September, 1968, and they resided first in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. They settled in Durango, Colorado, in 1975 after spending nearly two years traveling the US in their motor home. In Colorado both Roger and Marian were licensed electrical contractors and in 1990 Roger became a State Electrical Inspector for the State of Colorado first residing in Ft. Morgan and later Monte Vista. He retired in 2004 and spent his retirement in Monte Vista as a woodworking artist creating specialized wooden jewelry and ornamental boxes. Roger was also very active in and helped organize the Monte Arts Council who are planning to open the city’s first Art Center. Roger is survived by his spouse, Marian, and one sister, Arlene M. Herman married to James A. Herman of Kettering, Ohio; four younger brothers; Donald A. Schlagbaum married to Dee Dee (Maag) Schlagbaum of Ottoville; Gary J. Schlagbaum married to Janice (Hoehn) Schlagbaum of Ottoville; Russell U. Schlagbaum of Ottoville; and Tim A. Schlagbaum married to Cheryl (Franks) Schlagbaum of Safety Harbor, Florida. Roger has 14 nieces and 12 nephews. Cremation services were carried out at Rogers Family Mortuary of Alamosa, Colorado. A memorial service will be held from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Saturday January 26, 2013 at the Monte Vista Information Center. The family requests no flowers and if desired, donations can be made to The Monte Arts Council of Monte Vista Colorado.

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