Memorial
Roger Louis Hasselbrink, 73, of Cedar Rapids, passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona after complications from a thyroidectomy.
Visitation will be Friday, April 27 from 5-7:30pm at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel. A prayer vigil will follow at 7:30pm.
Funeral mass will be held at 10am Saturday, April 28 at St. Jude Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Osterhaus officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Roger was born in Newton, Iowa to Louis and Edna Hasselbrink on February 3, 1945. Roger grew up in Kellogg, and attended Newton High School, class of 1963. Roger graduated with a Bachelor of Education from State College of Iowa (UNI) and received a Master of Education degree from the University of Iowa.
On August 5, 1972, Roger was united in marriage with Joanne Scolaro in Cedar Rapids.
Roger was employed by the Cedar Rapids Community School District for 35 years having proudly served students at Wilson & Roosevelt Junior High and Kennedy High School, where he retired. Roger was also a beloved baseball, football, wrestling, and tennis coach. After retiring from the Cedar Rapids CSD, Roger was an adjunct history professor at Kirkwood Community College for 5 years.
Roger proudly served in the United States Army and is a Vietnam War Veteran.
Roger had a passion for playing golf and loved watching Hawkeye football and basketball. Roger and Joanne travelled with the Iowa I-Club to many bowl games and enjoyed several Hawkeye Cruises. He believed it was always great to be a Hawkeye. Many of Roger and Joanne’s retirement years have been spent wintering in Sun City West, Arizona. Family was Roger’s pride and joy, especially making memories with his four grandchildren.
Roger loved music, playing cards, advocating for education & the democratic party, and following the Chicago Cubs.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents. Those left to honor Roger’s memory include his wife of 46 years, Joanne; his daughters, Angie (Torrey) French of Normal, Illinois and Allison (Andrew) Griesel of Peoria, Arizona; his sister, Joan Mason of Newton, IA; his four grandchildren, Cayden & Ryland French and Brinkley & Blaire Griesel; his two nephews, Doug (Mary) Mason and David Mason, and their families.
Memorials in Roger’s name are being designated to St. Jude Catholic Church, University of Iowa Children’s Hospital, or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
His warm smile along with his kind and caring ways will be deeply missed.