Roger Edwin Roeber

May 29, 1944 - May 14, 2026

Roger Edwin Roeber, 81, of Augusta, Maine, passed away peacefully at home on May 14, 2026, after a brief and rapid decline related to renal disease. True to his nature, Roger remained active, independent, and engaged with family and friends until his final days.

Roger was born on May 29, 1944, in San Diego, California, to Samuel Edwin Roeber and Dorothy Fern (Bentzinger) Roeber. Shortly after his birth, the family returned to the Meridian, Idaho, area, where Roger developed a lifelong love for the outdoors that would shape much of his life.

Roger proudly served in the United States Navy for four years. After his military service, he spent several years lobster fishing out of State Pier in Fall River, Massachusetts, for the Prelude Corporation, serving at various times as mate, engineer, and skipper aboard the Crystal S, Mars, and other vessels in the fleet. Roger later built a long career as a welder and boilermaker working across the country from Maine to Oregon. He was a dedicated member of the Boilermakers Union for much of his working life and took great pride in the skill, hard work, and craftsmanship his trade required.

Throughout his life, Roger lived in and traveled through many parts of the country, including Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, Massachusetts, and Maine. Hunting was one of his greatest passions. He spent countless days pursuing ducks, geese, deer, moose, antelope, and pheasants, carrying with him stories and experiences gathered across decades in the outdoors. Whether in the woods, around a table, or sharing coffee with friends, Roger was known for his remarkable memory, deep knowledge, quick wit, sense of humor, and gift for storytelling.

Roger was an avid reader whose curiosity seemed endless. He had a lifelong passion for antique firearms, particularly Winchester rifles, and after retirement spent many years as an antique gun dealer and collector. He also shared a passion for collecting Griswold cast iron cookware with his late wife, Pearl. Together with their children, many weekends were spent exploring antique stores, yard sales, and small towns in search of the next treasured find.

While living in Harrington, Maine, Roger and Pearl built a small farm where they raised chickens, cows, pigs, goats, and sheep. Those years created many cherished memories for family and friends and reflected Roger’s appreciation for hard work, self-reliance, and a simple life connected to the land.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Dorothy Roeber; his brothers Leonard Roeber and Randall Roeber; his daughter Melanie Gail Roeber; his wife, Pearl Elaine Roeber, who passed away in 2012; and Jean’s son Steve Fredette.

He is survived by his son Michael Edwin Roeber and his partner Sheila Pomeroy, along with Michael’s children, Hannah Roeber and Jayce White; his son Peter John Roeber and wife Catharine Dann Roeber, along with their daughter Elizabeth Christie Roeber; his daughter Lisa Marie Roeber, her partner Ilya Bezverkhny, and Ilya’s child Mack; his daughter Christine Farias and grandson Michael Farias; and his daughter Tammy Marrisett and grandsons Dalton and Connor Lund.

Roger shared the last 14 years of his life with his beloved fiancée, Jean Fredette, in Augusta, Maine. He also shared a close and loving bond with Jean’s family, including the late Steve Fredette’s partner, John Lumbreas, and Steve’s children Ian Fredette and his wife Ashley, and Hannah Pults and Hannah’s children Abigael and John; Charlene Fredette Ouellette and her husband Joel, their children Alex and Jenna and their daughter Phoebe Jean, and Nikki Ouellette; and Darin Fredette and his wife Michelle Bridges Fredette, Darin’s daughter Amber, and Michelle’s sons Jesse Hayes and Cody Sleeper. Over the past 14 years, Roger came to know Jean’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as an important and cherished part of his extended family.

He is also survived by many extended family members and friends whose lives were enriched by his stories, humor, generosity, wisdom, and deep love for his family.

Private services will be held for family and close friends.

Roger will be remembered for his steady presence, sharp mind, endless stories, love of the outdoors, quick wit, and the generosity with which he shared his knowledge, experiences, and life with others. Above all, he will be remembered for the deep love he carried for his family throughout every chapter of his life.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff and care providers of the VA Hospital in Augusta, Maine, along with the many healthcare professionals who supported Roger over the years. Special thanks are extended to the hospice nurses and staff of Andwell Health Partners for their compassionate care, guidance, and support during Roger’s final days, especially Darby Beaucage, Keith Beck, and Elisha Perez.

In gratitude and in support of the future of compassionate hospice and palliative care, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger’s honor to Andwell Health Partners, 15 Strawberry Avenue, Lewiston, Maine 04240, or online at: https://andwell.org/giving/donate/