Roger Andrew Lackman

BESSEMER, Mich. – Roger Andrew Lackman, 89, of Bessemer, passed away Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at his home.

Roger was born on May 2, 1926, in Waterbury, Conn., the youngest of nine children to Edward Roach and Rena Delight (Buell) Lackman. He grew up in Thomaston, Conn.

Roger served as a private in the 104th Infantry Division (Timberwolves) in Germany during the latter part of World War II.

After the war, he moved to Chicago and attended Roosevelt University. While there, Roger met his future wife, the former Peg Brigham. After Peg completed her nurse's training, they were married and moved to Michigan.

Roger attended Michigan State University and studied civil engineering. He was a member of Chi Epsilon, the National Engineering Honor Society and graduated in 1957.

Roger worked as an engineer in Indiana, Washington State, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Alaska. After retiring from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Roger worked as a FEMA Contractor going to disasters all over the country until he resigned on his 84th birthday.

Roger is survived by his sister, Lois Taylor, Pasadena, Calif .; his wife, Peg, Bessemer; three sons, Mark (Rebekah), Bessemer, Robert (Mimi), Quingdao, China, and Paul, Bessemer (Jacqueline van Kalmthout, of the Netherlands); a daughter, Barbara Lackman, Olympia, Wash .; eight grandchildren, Ted Lackman and Monica Lackman, both of Grand Rapids, Roger Lackman, Bessemer, Emma Lackman, Chehalis, Wash., Kirsten Vallier and Robert Lackman, both of Washington State, and Stephan Garcia and Sebastian (Christina) Garcia, both of Olympia; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 11 a.m., at Hillcrest Cemetery in Bessemer. The Rev. Bill Jacobson, pastor of Sharon Lutheran Church in Bessemer, will officiate.

Following the service, military rites will be accorded by the Bessemer American Legion Post 27 and Bessemer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3673 Honor Guard.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016, at 3 p.m., preceded by visitation at 2:30 p.m., at Sharon Lutheran Church.

Memorial contributions in memory of Roger may be made to Regional Hospice Services, 100 S. Mill St., Bessemer, MI 49911, or Sharon Lutheran Church, 100 E. Sellar St., Bessemer, MI 49911.

Arrangements are under the direction of Jerald Rocco, owner-manager of Lakeside Memorial Chapel Inc., in Wakefield. Online condolences may be made to lakesidememorialchapel.com.