Roger Henry Widder

Roger Henry Widder, age 93, of Fayetteville, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Fayetteville. He was born September 9, 1923, in Milwaukee, Wis., the son of Roland and Louise Guenther Widder. He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant brother John Mark, and a sister Carol Louise Benn. He graduated from Rufus King High School in Milwaukee, and attended the University of Wisconsin (extension) in Milwaukee. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in October of 1942, was stationed at Camp White in Medford, Ore. After promotions to Staff Sergeant, he was accepted in the Army Specialized Training Program and sent to the University of Idaho in Moscow to study German. While there he was able to play in the University orchestra and band, where he met his future wife, Kathryn Horner. They were married September 24, 1944, at the home of the bride in Weiser, Idaho. They lived in Neosho, Mo., Battle Creek, Mich., and finally at Ft. Sheridan, Ill., where he worked with German prisoners of war at Camp Skokie Valley, Ill. After an honorable discharge from the Army, he enrolled at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he studied oboe with Alfred Barthel, retired member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1947, and a Master of Music degree in 1948. The school year of 1948-49 was spent teaching at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University) in Stillwater, Okla., where he taught woodwind instruments and led the ROTC band. In September of 1949, he was hired as woodwind instructor and assistant band director at the University of Arkansas, where he remained until retirement in 1950, progressing through the ranks to full professor and acting as chairman of the Music Department for nine years. For many years he was a Boy Scout leader of Troop 102 in Fayetteville, where he helped shape the lives of many boys. He was awarded the Silver Beaver by the Westark Area Council. He was a longtime member and past-president of the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club. Roger Widder is survived by his wife of 72 years, Kathryn, of Fayetteville; a brother Neal Widder of West Bend, Wis.; sons David (Cheryl) of Blacksburg, Va., Stephen (Wendy) of Xico, Veracruz, Mexico, and Neosho, Mo., Mark (Carol) of Fayetteville, John (Livona) of Elkins; nine grandchildren: Jennifer Quakenbush, Janice Blakeney, Kathryn Henriksen, Heidi Widder, Lucas Widder, Elijah Widder, Kaniel Widder, Ashleigh Wall, Megan Lahay; and 10 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be at Moore's Chapel, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 30. A private family burial service will be held at Fayetteville National Cemetary on March 31. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Central United Methodist Church, Westark Area Boy Scout Council in Ft. Smith, or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. To sign the online guest book visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com.