Roger O. Stafford

Roger Owen Stafford, age 88, a resident of Terrace Park Ohio, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on August 5th, 2025. Born in Keokuk, Iowa to Charlotte and Dr. Herbert Stafford Jr., he is survived by his beloved wife, Frances, sons, Alex (Michelle), Neil (Heather), sister, Phoebe Papaeliou, niece, Inge Papaeliou, claimed daughter Carmen Lird (Paraguayan exchange student), and grandchildren: Chloe Stafford, Claire Stafford, Audrey Stafford, Henry Stafford, Nigel Silva, Vivian Silva, and his treasured and dear Stringfellow and Morgan family cousins.

Roger studied mechanical engineering, specializing in structures and hydraulics at the University of Iowa. As a proud Hawkeye, he graduated in 1959, also earning an Army Commission in the ROTC. Roger was employed by North American Aviation in Los Angeles, California working on the XB70 Valkyrie, a supersonic bomber. He was called to active duty with the army in November 1959. A six-month assignment in Germany turned out to be longer due to the Berlin Wall crisis. Roger remained in the Army reserves, retiring on July 11, 1989 as a full colonel.

In April 1962, he returned to the University of Iowa, earning a PhD in aeronautical engineering completed in 1966. The opportunity of a lifetime (his words) came when he was invited to work at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington, England. He met Frances on the tennis courts at the social club. Roger and Frances were married on January 2nd, 1970, and then moved to Munich, Germany. Together they learned German in the language school at Munich University. Roger worked at Messerschmitt, a German aircraft company. In 1972, Roger moved the family back to England and began teaching aeronautical engineering at Imperial College London. He returned to the USA with his family in April 1977. Roger worked at Structural Dynamics Research Corporation in Milford OH, until retirement in 1999. He continued living in Terrace Park until his death.

Roger freely volunteered his time and skills to many organizations. When his children were young, he was a Boy Scout leader and coached their soccer and baseball teams. With the Scouts, he organized caving trips led by a friend who was a spelunker. Roger took the Boy Scouts flying, introduced them to careers in aviation, and helped them earn their aviation merit badges.

For over thirty years, Roger was deeply involved with the Mariemont Kiwanis and introduced many new programs. He was especially instrumental with the scholarship program increasing it to cover four years of college instead of just one. Additionally, he volunteered his time mentoring children at Terrace Park Elementary School. He introduced middle school students to finance through the stock market game, and taught the Mariemont High School Investment club. With his guidance, the investment club students invested in stocks and earned money for college. A man of faith his entire life, Roger was an active member of Armstrong Chapel UMC. For ten years, Roger volunteered as Co-President of the Armstrong Chapel Cemetery committee.

Roger's numerous interests included sailing, flying small aircraft, playing tennis and bridge, attending the symphony orchestra, the playhouse, and attending most any air show or car show! With coffee in hand, he was constantly reading, researching, fixing something, starting a project, reading non-fiction war history, or saying “Let’s Go” to the next adventure!

Highlights of his travels with family and friends include Tanzania, New Zealand, the Baltics, Paraguay, Denmark, and frequent trips to England. Roger loved yearly strawberry picking trips with his sister, Phoebe, in Illinois. He organized many joyous lake vacation trips with immediate and extended family in Iowa, North Carolina, and Georgia. As a grandfather, Roger delighted in his young grandchildren, sometimes carrying them on hikes in the Colorado mountains. Always an engineer, he frequently offered his skills to help family members complete home projects such as building a pool deck, kitchen improvements, model planes, garages, screened porches, and even building a custom home in Terrace Park.

Above all, Roger loved being a husband, dad, grandpa, brother, and uncle. He was a man of strength, warmth, deep conviction, generosity, and humor. He consistently demonstrated respect toward everyone he met. He will be forever missed by his family, friends, and community.

Family and friends are invited for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 6th at 11am. Services will be held at Armstrong Chapel UMC 5125 Drake Rd. Cincinnati OH 45243. Interment with military honors to be held immediately following at the Armstrong Chapel Cemetery across the street from the church.

At the conclusion of the services, the Stafford family invites all guests to gather at the church for a light lunch and to Celebrate Roger’s remarkable life. RSVPs are kindly requested but not required.

You may rsvp here:

https://rogerstaffpilot.rsvpify.com

For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Roger's life, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to:

Christ Hospital Research Fund

2123 Auburn Avenue, Suite 528

Attn: Rita

Cincinnati, Ohio 452319

Kiwanis Club of Mariemont

Children's Foundation, c/o Jack Smith

609 Elm Avenue

Terrace Park, Ohio 45174

Megie Funeral Home, Milford, OH is entrusted with arrangements.

megiefuneralhome.com