Roger James Van Wyngaarden

Roger James Van Wyngaarden of Catonsville Maryland, devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, family man and friend passed away suddenly yet peacefully on October 22, 2024, in his home that he so loved, with Mary Brent at his side.

Roger is survived by his wife Mary Brent, daughter Elizabeth and her husband George, grandsons Liam and Everett, brother John, and his Mohler Family: Jim and Anne Brooke, Joe and Lister, John and Cindy, Eddy and Francy and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Born on April 15th 1946 in Oakland California, Roger was the middle child of three brothers born to Johannes Peter Van Wyngaarden and Marjorie Elizabeth (James) Van Wyngaarden.

Growing up in a military family, Roger had many experiences to share from all of the places he lived. Picking peanuts in Georgia, over seas for the birth of his younger brother and even the desert in California. Tumble weeds and all. Playing cowboys and indians, riding horses, visiting his grandparents on their farm in the midwest, and even catching a glimpse of Santa while he peered at the North Star late one night on Christmas Eve which perhaps inspired his well known demeanor of being a “child at heart”.

Ever a patriot, Roger enlisted in the Air Force as the Vietnam war progressed and was stationed at Andrews Airfare base and subsequently served in De Nang, Vietnam. His stories about the war were always brief and not often but love for his country and patriotism was a frequent topic of discussion.

After his military service, Roger moved to Maryland and then attended University of Maryland where he obtained a Bachelors Degree in Political Science. To get through college he worked several jobs (one of which was a gas station in Paradise, where he met his wife to be) while living on friends couches and eventually in his own tiny apartment.

After graduating, he worked for JJ Haines, a company he grew to love and much like his attitude toward everything else, became a devoted loyal and enormous asset in that role. He loved his customers. Following retirement, he became a fixture at the Catonsville Farmer’s Market, helping Lib and George in their farming and food coop businesses. There, he made many friends - customers and vendors. He was truly a people person and everybody loved Roger.

Of all of his accomplishments and experiences, Roger most thrived in his role as a family man. Becoming a husband, father and then grandfather was the light of his life and along with his devotion to the Lord- his heart was full to the brim. Mostly known as a jokester and a kind soul, Roger only knew how to smile, love and give of himself.

Now that Roger is gone our lives are forever changed; Our hearts are broken. We are now, however comforted knowing that we have a true advocate in heaven.

A Christian wake service and Rosary will be held at 7:15 PM Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at the funeral home.

A visitation for Roger will be held Tuesday, October 29, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Sterling Ashton Schwab Witzke Funeral Home of Catonsville, Inc., 1630 Edmondson Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 10:00 AM at the chapel at St. Mark Catholic Church, 30 Melvin Ave, Catonsville, MD 21228. A committal service will follow at New Cathedral Cemetery, 4300 Old Frederick Rd, Baltimore, MD 21229.

It would mean so much to Roger and his family if in lieu of Flowers , a donation be made to Tunnels to Towers in support of our Veterans. https://dogood.t2t.org/IMORogerVanWyngaard