Roger Young Obituary

YOUNG, Roger R. 12/21/1925 - 6/19/2009 Roger Young was born and lived most of his eighty-three years in Coeur d'Alene. He was still riding a bicycle regularly until he lost his seven year battle with cancer. A World War II veteran, Roger served in the United States Air Force from 1944 to 1946. Following the war, he met Donna Lorraine Adsero and together they attended North Idaho Junior College and the University of Idaho. Roger and Donna celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in March, 2009. Roger received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education from Eastern Washington State University. His career spanned 34 years in teaching and administration in local public schools. Roger served as state president of the Idaho Education Association in 1968 and 1969. Roger helped create a lodge and rope tow ski area on Signal Point in the mid 1950s. After Signal Point was eclipsed by Mt. Spokane, Schweitzer and Jackass ski areas, Roger served for several years on the Mt. Spokane ski patrol. He was also a windsurfer. Following his retirement from School District 271 in 1984, Roger applied his woodworking skills to create sleek canoes, graceful wood sculptures and practical birdhouses. On June 3, 2009, the Coeur d'Alene Audubon Society presented Roger with the Meritorious Service Award for his years of volunteering. Roger had a lively interest in all wildlife. His sharp eyes could spot elk that no one else could see and his keen mind could remember things no one else could recall. Roger and Donna made several trips to East Africa to see the animals and many more trips to Hawaii to see the fish. Roger was an incurable optimist who brought his uniquely positiveattitude to every situation He was diagnosed with cancer in 2002 and temporarily defeated cancer. On his bicycle, he conquered the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes and the Hiawatha Trail, bicycling over 800 miles in 2008. Last summer, he hiked the hills and mountains of North Idaho and Montana where he was elated to spot a wolf. Cancer attacked again and he fought valiantly, but finally on June 19th, he lost the battle. Roger is survived by his wife, Donna, and nieces, Joyce Kammeyer and husband Gary; Diane Flegel and husband Gene; Jody Scott and husband Dave; Ann Dickenson, Arlene Oos, Shelley and Renee Adsero; and nephews, Nick Adsero and wife Mary; and Brian McTighe. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Vernice Young, and three sisters, Arlene Oos, Doris Hartz and Blanche Knudsen. At Roger's request, there will be no funeral service. Contributions can be made in his name to Audubon Rowe Sanctuary, 4450 Elm Island Road, Gibbon, Nebraska 68840; or the Museum of North Idaho, 115 Northwest Blvd., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814