Roger L. Worrell

Roger L. Worrell, 55, passed away following a sudden, brief illness, on October 27, 2019. Roger was born in Garland, Texas and throughout his youth, his family moved often as his dad was an engineer specializing in defense electronics. He lived in several states in the midwest, south, and southeast. He was a dedicated Boy Scout, succeeding to the level of Eagle Scout and attending Philmont Camp. Roger’s greatest love was his family: wife Dr. Deanna Monroe, daughter Maeve, and son Declan. Roger is survived by his father Robert, his brother Larry (Janet), his nephew Bill, niece Amanda (Robert), one great-niece, two great-nephews, and many cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara. Roger was professionally qualified as both an engineer and as a lawyer. As an engineer, he believed that there was a perfect solution to every problem. As a lawyer, he was willing to argue in the alternative if that perfect solution was not immediately available (No one was more willing to creatively substitute for missing ingredients in recipes than Roger!). Roger was fearless in whatever he did – whether being the smallest guy on the field playing college rugby at the University of Kansas (go Jayhawks!) or attempting major house renovations. As a friend, Roger cut no corners – ever. He was the friend you could always count on, the one who was always available to pitch in on any project on short notice. Roger was always the one who worked hardest and stayed the latest, until every last bit of work was complete, whether at St. Josaphat Parish, the Alpine Club, at a small dinner party with friends, or greeting and hosting the monthly Investment Club ladies on Mondays. Roger was a generous soul. He worked the night ministry mobile cantina after work as a young adult feeding the homeless in Kansas City. He was a soccer coach, baseball coach, and synchronized skating team supporter. As a father, he believed many lessons could be learned by being a teammate. He believed in helping others; you needed to “teach them to fish” to preserve their self-esteem. He was a great supporter of the North Lawndale Prep High School which provides an excellent education in a supportive environment with 99+% college acceptance rates. He also supported the Phoenix Hall which provided housing for the North Lawndale students who would be otherwise homeless. Roger’s greatest pleasure was working and participating in leisure activities at the Alpine Club in Round Lake, Illinois. He cherished this club as a rare ‘diamond in the rough’ location for families to escape on weekends to dine, boat, play music fireside, bocce, beach volleyball and much more with protected 14 acres for kids to run and play outdoors. This special place is where his children learned to water ski, surf, fish, play cards well, master Jenga, build sandcastles, fly kites, build a fire, make s’mores, learn guitar and billiards. Here, they also perfected their skills of dressing appropriately for dinner, greeting elders with a firm handshake, listening to multi-generational family stories and discussing politics. Roger will be missed by countless friends and family from Chicago, Kansas City, St. Louis, Oklahoma, Texas and Rhode Island. Visitation: Cooney Funeral Home 3918 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago, Fri. Nov. 1 from 3:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.Funeral: St Josaphat Catholic Church 2311 N. Southport, Chicago, Sat. Nov. 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Private Burial: Montrose Cemetery In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to North Lawndale Kinship Initiative Care of Phoenix Hall and select the Roger Worrell Memorial Fund (as designation) or The Alpine Club Roger Worrell Memorial Fund through Chase QuickPay with Zelle to treasurer@alpinecountryclub.net (non-deductible)

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