Roger R. Sandmire

Roger R. Sandmire, 81 of La Crosse, passed away on Friday, April 15, 2016 at Hillview Healthcare in La Crosse. He was born in West Lima, WI, on June 28, 1934 to Buford and Opal (Muller) Sandmire. He graduated from LaFarge High School and later attended and graduated from UW Platteville. Roger married Margaret M. Clark at the LaFarge Methodist Church on August 14, 1954.
Roger worked as an insurance agent in La Crosse for American Family over his 40 year career. He was a proud member of the community and served as President of the March of Dimes, President of the YMCA, Board Member of the La Crosse Country Club, and served on the executive Committee of the Platteville Foundation.
He was an outstanding athlete and was inducted into the Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame for basketball and baseball. He was an avid golfer and scored three holes-in-one during his golfing career.
Roger’s favorite pastimes were golfing, pheasant hunting, fishing in Canada, nurturing his tomato plants, playing Gin and travelling. One of his favorite destinations was Hilton Head Island where he and his wife Marggie visited annually for over 30 years. He also loved his Packers, Brewers, Badgers and NASCAR. He cherished his several Labrador retrievers over the years. He was generous, compassionate and kind which was reflected in his relationships with his family and many close friends.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years Margaret Sandmire, and by two sons Brian (Karen) Sandmire of LaCrosse, WI and Eric Sandmire (Don Martin) of Waterford, Michigan. He is further survived by his sisters-in-law Ruth Clark of LaFarge, WI, Gloria Sandmire of Janesville, WI, brother-in-law Orval Appleman of Janesville, WI and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Buford and Opal Sandmire, his sister Peggy Appleman, his brother Alva Sandmire, mother and father-in-law Clanus and Bessie Clark, brother-in-law Myron Clark.
Memorial services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, April 20, 2016 at Faith United Methodist Church; 1818 Redfield St., La Crosse. Rev. Karen Bankes will officiate. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Friends may call on the family Wednesday morning at the church from 9:30am until the time of services. The Schumacher-Kish Funeral and Cremation Services of La Crosse is assisting the family. Online guestbook may be signed at www.schumacher-kish.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Faith United Methodist church or Coulee Region Human Society or a charity of your choice.