Roger Griffith Owen

Dr. Roger Griffith Owen, a true Renaissance man, beloved husband, father, stepfather, grandfather passed away on June 30, 2013.

Roger was born May 4, 1927, in Racine, Wisconsin, grew up in Union Grove, the only child of John Owen and Sinah Owen. His father was a dentist, his mother a musician who taught music. Roger joined the military service during WWII and served in the US army 1264th Combat Engineer Battalion in occupied Germany. After the war he went to college on the GI bill, got his master at FSUMSU, and his PHD from the University of Miami, Dept. of Education, Psychology and Clinical Educational Research. He worked at the University of Miami as an assistant professor and as director of social work and computer services at Montanari Residential Treatment Center. After his wife passed, he moved from Miami to Tallahassee. Here he met the love of his life , Margaret, while attending a Jimmy Carter Sunday School in Plains, GA.

He has one daughter, Elizabeth Stancavage (Ed); five stepchildren, Jan Hamilton, Jim Hamilton (Cheryl), Susan Ihlanfeldt, Dave Scott (Carrie), Rob Scott (Lisa); seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and friend, Keith Ihlanfeldt.

His work career has been centered in the mental health/social service field and encompassed direct services activities along with work in research, grant-writing, teaching, journal publication, committee and consultative areas. While living in Miami his outside volunteer activities included church vestry membership, animal welfare volunteer work, membership in the State of Florida Emergency Mental Health Response Group, and more recently volunteer mental health work with the American Red Cross during Hurricane Katrina. His activities were many and included outdoor exercise, playing the piano, ballroom dancing, watching FSU football and basketball, painting with pastels, working extensively in photoshop on his many photographs, all this in addition to his computer skills.

His volunteer work here in Tallahassee was extensive. He served on the Advisory Council and the Art Council at the Tallahassee Senior Center. Roger volunteered at Goodwood Museum during their plant sales. Roger and his surviving spouse, Margaret, organized the first three TALL Art and Culture days. As a project for that first TALL group they furnished an apartment for homeless veterans. He not only was an accomplished photographer, but also became an accomplished artist in his favorite medium of pastel. He won a number of prizes for his photography and art including several Best of Show awards. Roger and his wife traveled statewide and abroad with Elderhostel groups and other travel organizations. He was an excellent pianist, playing by ear and graciously played for events at the center. An active participant in Senior Center events he was always willing to do his part whenever asked. He received the Silver Star award in 2012 in Recognition for Active Aging from the Senior Center. He will be missed.

Service will be at Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, at 2:00 pm July 5, 2013.