In Memory of Roger P. Wilson

Roger P. Wilson was born October 22, 1958 to Roger D. and Donna Wilson in Redfield, SD. When Roger was 5 the family moved to MN, finally settling in Fridley. Roger attended school in Fridley and was part of the swim team. He graduated in 1977. He went on to study business in college before starting his own painting business, RW Ceilings and Walls. He ran his company for over 35 years. In 1987 his daughter, Sadie was born. In 1990 he met his wife, Carol and stepsons, Stephen and Cory. Roger and Carol moved to Fridley in 1997 and lived there for 26 years before relocating to Cambridge in 2022.

Roger had a great passion for music. He never learned to read music but was able to learn songs on the guitar by ear. Later in life he joined Rock Camp for Dads where he played with several bands performing live concerts for family and friends. His mother enjoyed seeing him play in a KISS cover group in full make-up. He also had a great love of the outdoors. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, scuba diving and especially riding his motorcycles. He traveled by motorcycle across the US and visited Sturgis numerous times. He taught Carol to ride and they both enjoyed lots of road trips on the bikes. He traveled to Costa Rico with Sadie where she took her open water scuba. He and Carol went to Austria in 1996 where he skied the Stubai Glacier. He went deep sea fishing every chance he got.

He absolutely loved to travel! He took several solo trips to locations like Hong Kong, Thailand, Chili, and Vietnam. In 2011 he and Carol started traveling in earnest, visiting 6 wonders of the world along with Morocco, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. There are pictures of Roger petting a cat or dog (or tiger) every place he went.

When the kids were younger Roger loved taking them on adventures. There are many stories of he and the kids exploring areas of Minneapolis in the dark and exploring abandoned areas. His daughter, Sadie joined the Army and met her husband, Brad, who is still serving. He was very proud of their military service. Cory shares Roger’s love of motorcycles. Stephen and Roger shared a love for hunting (pheasant). He really loved being a grandpa! He was always so excited when the grandkids would come over. He started some traditions just for the grandkids – buying all their Easter clothes to wear when the family went to brunch and buying all the granddaughters their first American Girl doll when they reached 8 years old (his grandson got to pick out a RC car instead).

Roger loved spending time with his friends. He started Boys Night on Monday nights where he would go hang out with friends and ride motorcycles. He kept that up for a couple of decades. Roger, his dad and friend, Marty started Friday lunch where they would meet for lunch at various locations around town every Friday. This also continued for many years and grew to include a lot of friends. Roger was also a long standing member of AA. Summer AA picnics at the Fridley house were a highlight of the year.

Roger was a big personality and loved meeting people throughout his life. He will be missed.

Roger died March 4, 2024 at home with his wife, Carol, children, Sadie, Cory and Stephen, and his cats, Slinky and Kimber.  He is preceded in death by his brother, Mike Wilson, father, Roger D. Wilson and mother, Donna Wilson.

Roger is survived by his wife, Carol; daughter, Sadie (Brad) Tollberg; stepsons, Cory Vieths and Stephen Vieths; grandchildren Jada, Alayna, Nevaeh, Ava, Olivia and Owen Vieths, Miranda and Miles Tollberg; sisters, Rebecca Woodward and Darcy (Chuck) White; nieces, nephews and many other relatives and friends.