Roger C. Simurdiak

Roger C. Simurdiak, 68, passed away in his sleep at his home in De Pere on Friday night July 23, 2011. He was born October 10, 1942 in Chicago, IL, the second of eight children of the late Charles and Helen (VanDer Aue) Simurdiak. He is survived by his brothers; Bruce and Brian, sisters; Sandra, Linda, Ellen and Marcia and many nieces and nephews. Roger enjoyed several hobbies that included golf, bowling, ping pong, and regularly love to watch spectator sports like football, basketball and tennis. He loved growing trees and garden vegetables, but his passion was growing beautiful flower beds that included many hybrid varieties such as Daylilies, Irises and Roses to name a few. He sometimes would spend up to 30 hours a week tending his plants and also many indoor plants that included many types of cactus. He attained a B.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, WI and went on to achieve a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He worked in Research and Development for Appleton Papers for 20 years on developing or redesigning products like carbonless paper and coated paper products like chalkboard paper. His responsibility was to test how new formulations would run on the paper machines and adjust the chemistry when there was production problems. Most of his life he struggled with anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorders that worsened with age. This is believed to have shortened his life from the complications of medications used to control it, and the recent very hot temperatures that brought on heart failure. The family commemorates two Blue flowers: one for the Blue side of his life and the other for the beautiful side of his passions. Family and friends may call at Cotter Funeral Home, 860 N. Webster Ave., De Pere, on Thursday, July 28, 2011, beginning at 10:00 am. The funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Thursday at 11:00 am. All family and friends are invited to a luncheon after the service at Union Hotel in De Pere, WI. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. Since flowers will be displayed from Roger's garden, donations should be made for prayer services.

Reception:
Union Hotel
200 N. Broadway
De Pere, WI 54115