After enjoying an extraordinary life complete with many great friends and a loving family, Roger B. George died peacefully in his Gig Harbor, Washington home on May 13 at the age of 80.
Roger was born Aril 16, 1935 in Summit, New Jersey, and spent his active boyhood fishing, hunting, trapping, and “shagging” balls at Baltusrol Golf Club in his hometown of Springfield, NJ. As his sense of adventure would have it, Roger enlisted in the United States Airforce and qualified as a pilot in 1955, where he delighted in flying-in his words- “anything the military would trust me with” (but he seemed to have a soft spot for the F-102).
After ending his military career in 1965, Roger went on to fly for his beloved Pan American Airways until 1985, and finished his career as a 757 Captain with United Airlines, when he reluctantly retired in 1995.
Roger was well-known for his irrepressible sense of humor, indomitable spirit, and nearly ridiculous generosity. It was Roger’s wish that those who want to remember him do so by having “a couple of margaritas and some fun each day!”.
Roger is survived by his adored grandaughters, Jessica Leatham of Gig Harbor, Wa.,and Lauren Baumgartner of Washington, District of Columbia; his daughter, Nancy Baumgartner, and son-in-law, Timothy Baumgartner of Oxford, New Jersey. Roger is also survived by his close friend and former wife, Sally Leatham, and her husband his dear friend, Donald Leatham. Roger is pre-deceased by a daughter, Susan George, his parents, Henry and Pauline George, as well as his brothers, Darian George and David George.
There will most certainly be a celebration of life party (that will include margaritas!) at some point this summer.