Memorial

Roger Darrell Donegan, 93, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on October 31, 2018, at Oldorf Hospice Home in Hiawatha with friends at his side.  Memorial services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the El Kahir Shrine at 905 Tower Terrace Road Hiawatha, Iowa 52233.

Roger was born on June 24, 1925, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Phillip and Charlotte Donegan.  They were later divorced and she married Francis J. McHugh.  He adopted Roger in October 1944.  Roger attended Harrison Grade School and Roosevelt Junior/Senior High School, he left school in his senior year to join the United States Navy.  His training was at Farragut Naval Training Base in Idaho.  He was assigned to Naval PT Boat Squadron #19 Station in California and later transferred to 7th Fleet Naval Port Directors Landing Unit #3505 operating with the U.S. Army Landings Units in New Guinea Campaign.  His final station before returning to the United States from overseas was on Biak Island in the Solomon Shouten Island Group.

He was married to Irene Horstman of Guttenberg, Iowa on July 15, 1946, and they later divorced.  One son was born of this marriage, Richard Wald Donegan on July 22, 1947, and he passed away on March 23, 2014.  Roger was united in marriage to Mary Maxine Voorhees (Pfeiffer) on March 28, 1981.  Roger and Mary had 33 wonderful years together before Mary passed away on January 8, 2014. 

Roger was employed, after returning from the service, by D.M. Ink Publishing Company as an Illustrated Drawing Specialist, later transferring to the Printing Department, continuing his knowledge of learning the publishing business. He later was employed by Collins Radio Company establishing the Publishing/Printing Department on October 2, 1950.  He was recalled to the United States Navy in March 1951 serving aboard the USS Oriskany (Aircraft Carrier) CVA 34 until June 1954.  He returned to Cedar Rapids and continued his employment with Collins Radio Company as Supervisor of the Publishing Printing Plant.  He was later promoted to the position of Manager of Graphic Services Printing Department until his retirement on March 27, 1986.

Roger and Mary enjoyed many years during his involvement with the Masonic, York Rite and Shrine Fraternal Bodies where many blessed friendships were a result.  Some of the many organizations which Roger belonged to were: American Legion Hanford Post #5 and Fairfax Post #572, Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 788.  Grand Chef de Gare La Societe 40/8 Military Unit Group, Mount Herman Masonic Lodge #263, Crescent Lodge #25, Past High Priest and Prophet, Royal Arch Mason, Trowel Chapter #49, Palestine Council #27, Past Illustrious Master, and Order of Knights Templar, Apollo Commandery #26 serving as Eminent Commander.  Member of the Knight of the York Cross of Honor, Charles Clyde Hunt Priory #42.

He was a former member of the Cedar Rapids Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Consistory (Lodge of Perfection, Council, Chapter of Rose Croix and Council of Knights Kadosh).  He joined El Kahir Shrine in 1975. He was elected to the Position of El Kahir Shrine Potentate in 1991, the Recorder 1993 thru 2003, and Awarded the Title of Recorder Emeritus in January 2003.  He was re-elected El Kahir Shrine Recorder in 2009 thru 2013.  Retired as an active member in the Masonic Organizations.

Survivors are his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Claudia (Richard) J. Donegan of Las Vegas, NV; granddaughter, Mrs. Carolyn J. (David) Donegan Webb of Las Vegas, NV; grandson, Brendan J. Donegan (Paula) of North Las Vegas, NV.  Great-grandchildren: Micaela, twins Abigail and Aidan Donegan and Lillyan and Madelyn Webb.  His sister Mrs. Sandra J. (Michael) Birmingham and also many nieces and nephews.  Brother-in-law, Mr. Harold (Betty) Voorhees of Urbandale, IA.  Very special friends; Tom and Cindy Nutt, Mrs. Julia (Ken) Benda, Mrs. Jeanne (Gary) Evilsizer, Curt and Becky Long all of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his wife Mary; son Richard W. Donegan; mother Charlotte Donegan McHugh, step-father Francis J. McHugh; brother Sgt. Richard H. Donegan, (Killed in a prisoner of war camp in Reiti, Italy during WWII); sisters Mrs. Carol (Lewis) Wernett of Central City; Mrs. Sally Welter MacDowell of Cedar Rapids and Mrs. Nancy (Lawrence) Welter of Cedar Rapids.  Also preceded in death his first wife, Irene Horstman Donegan of Guttenberg.

Memorial contributions may be sent to El Kahir Shrine Nobility Endowment Fund or the family.