Roger was born December 24, 1942 in Wayne County, Ohio. He graduated from Ashland College in 1965 with an A.B. degree in psychology and math and later from Ashland Seminary with a M. Div. degree. On August 25 he married Miriam Dohner. Their three children born at Pleasant View were Stephen, July 23, 1969, died July 24, 1969, Amy, 1970, and Andrew, 1972. Roger served his first pastorate at Pleasant View from 1969-1973. He then served a yoked parish in Virginia; Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, and Valley Central United Church of Christ from 1973-1979 and then Bethel Church of the Brethren, Milford, Indiana, 1980-1986. In 1984 Roger and Miriam visited Nicaragua with Witness for Peace.