It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Roger. Roger and Glenis were wonderful neighbours during our time in Havelock North 1984 to 1987. We caught up with them again when they moved to Wellington and our daughter Erin sang in the Wellington Youth Choir with Roger for a while. It was at Roger’s suggestion that we try out Tītahi Bay Gospel Chapel as our place of worship and we are still there today, although the name has changed to Tītahi Bay Community Church and this is where we met Denise, some years later. Roger was always encouraging to our family and we especially enjoyed his music and listening to his choirs. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family at this time, especially thinking of those of you we know, Denise, Shelley, Virginia and Hamish. What a wonderful tribute the memorial service was to Roger. He would have been well pleased.

Roger was my music teacher., I was in the jazz band and junior choir and a training band. I still play the drums and sing. Thank you Roger you were an inspiration to all. Praise and glory be to our God. To the family and friends of Roger I send my condolences. May the Lord I serve comfort you all .

Roger was my music teacher at Havelock North Intermediate and High School and I was beyond blessed to encounter him again as a colleague at Bethlehem College. Singing in choirs conducted by Roger as both a young person and an adult, and even in Praise Be recordings with my Dad too, was a joy and a privilege. Roger always had the knack of making you feel special and his interest in and care for people transcended even his prodigious musical gifts. Roger’s legacy of faith. fun and musical excellence has impacted generations of people and there were so many stories told during this celebration service which brought back precious memories. To his family, thank you for sharing this remarkable man with so many of us over the years.

Roger - what a joyful inspiration he was to sooooo many people from all walks of life! Roger was the best teacher I ever had, he not only shared his love and passion for music but also his kind hearted nature and genuine interest in each and every person he connected with. I loved singing in Colla Voce and the NZSSC under his leadership, he shared a great variety of awesome music with us all! Roger really encouraged us to be the best we could be together, to create beautiful music and foster a community/team spirit that was bigger than our individual talents/personal qualities. Roger went above and beyond, I remember getting sick with a fever on one of the many 'music tours' when I attended Havelock Highschool (these were such great trips!) Roger helped me off the bus and carried me into the place where we were staying, waiting with me until the Dr arrived. What a kind heart he has. I was an 'ender blender' - always on the end of the front row in choirs - he used to ask me to check that his tupee was straight before performances! For warm-ups he'd instruct everyone to make a circle then 'turn left' and give the person next to you a shoulder rub, then 'turn right' and do the same - so we always got to relax the shoulders of the person who'd just relaxed our own shoulder muscles and noone missed out because it was a circle! I thank God for Roger and how he shared his gifts, passion and faith with us all. I can just imagine Roger raising the roof of his father's rooms in heaven singing glorious songs of praise and worship to his Lord and father! I look forward to giving him a standing ovation! Thankyou for the music and for sharing your hearts, Roger and family. So sorry I couldn't be there in person today to catch up with you all and share more memories of Roger - what a wonderful service - a true celebration of his amazing life.

Roger's first posting to a school was Naenae Intermediate, Lower Hutt, in 1965/66 and I was a beneficiary of his music passion. He formed a choir there, trained us up and arranged for us to cut a record. I was already learning the piano but started the violin while at Intermediate. Roger was absolutely encouraging and after a short time I went across the field to the College and joined the orchestra. He lived in my memory for many years before I had the privilege to meet up with him again. Thanks Roger. I've just watched the service which truly celebrated an amazing man.

I will alway fondly recall my time in NZSSC with Roger (or Rochelle's uncle Rog) our conductor. He was an amazing encourager and so enthusiastic. It stands out that we prayed before every concert (which I have never encountered in any other choir). Another standout memory was how our choir would sing an amazing spontaneous version of Amazing Grace (it wasn't even one of our songs). I don't know how this started but feel Roger probably played a role. We sung this in malls, McDonalds, anywhere. Thanks Rochelle for sharing your Uncle Rog and Roger for the amazing memories from being in NZSSC.