Obituary of Roger R. Luther

Roger R. Luther, 93, of Beach Park, IL, went home to be with his Lord on January 10, 2022. Roger was born on November 29, 1928 in Zion, IL to Harry and Doris Luther. Roger was a 1946 graduate of Zion-Benton Township High School. He proudly served in the United States Army and was stationed in Tokyo with the 64th engineers Topographical Battalion during the occupation of Japan. Roger went on to attend Purdue University graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also graduated from the Industrial Management Institute of Lake Forest College in 1962. He married Mona Ballegooyen on March 23, 1951 and together they raised two children. He worked for 32 years for Anchor Coupling Company starting as a Mechanical Engineer and progressing through various management assignments including the representing of the company to foreign affiliates in Japan, Europe and South Africa, and retiring in 1983 as Vice President of Operations. While at Anchor Coupling, Roger was active in various committees in the Society of Engineers on the standardization of hydraulic components participating as speaker in several conferences of the National Conference on Fluid Power. After retiring from the Anchor Coupling Company, he was employed by Laserage Technology Corporation as Engineering Manager and retiring in 1993 as Vice President of Operations. In 1990 Roger became a member of the Planning and Zoning Commission of Beach Park serving as Commission Chairman and later as Village Trustee. Upon completion of the trustee term he was named the first Village Administrator, retiring from the village in 2006. Roger was an active member of Christ Community Church. He served on the Board of Trustees, various building committees and as a member of the Guard organization for over 70 years. His hobbies include nature photography, traveling, songbird carving, chip carving, hunting, fishing and spending time at the family’s Door County cottage. He was a Past Master of Waukegan Masonic lodge #78. He participated in various technical committees of the Fluid Power Association. His achievements included 4 US Patents and 15 Foreign Patents. Roger is survived by his wife, Mona; daughter, Audrey (Dean) Matteson; son, Andy (Pam) Luther; grandchildren, Douglas (Angelica) Matteson, Deann (Curtis) Lewis, Allison Luther, and A.J. (Hannah) Luther; great grandchildren, Titus, Natalie, Haven and Colton Lewis and Evelyn Luther; sister, Barbara (Charlie) Lotz; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, James Luther; a brother-in-law, Jerry Royce; and sister, Norma Royce. A visitation will be held on Thursday, January 20, 2022 from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. at Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Pastor Ken Langley, officiating. Interment will be private for the family at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, Zion. The family has requested that any memorial gifts be given to help in the rehabilitation of Roger’s great-granddaughter, Natalie, who suffered a traumatic brain injury during heart surgery. Gifts may be sent to Faith Community Church, 39100 10th Street West, Palmdale, CA, 93551. Please check back for the full obituary.