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<p><em>Roger Russell Kolker</em> was born in his grandparents’ farmhouse in Turkey River, IA. The nearest “big” town, Guttenberg, appears on his birth certificate. He spent numerous summers on the farm doing chores and having fun. The first of five children, Roger was born seven years before the next sibling arrived and became an instant babysitter.</p>
<p>His family moved several times before settling down in Waterloo, IA. Being small and lithe, Roger was an excellent wrestler and joined the West Waterloo High School varsity team as a seventh grader. An inscription on the school that proclaimed, “I will study and prepare myself, and someday my chance will come—Abraham Lincoln” left an indelible impression on him. While waiting for his appointment to West Point, Roger attended the University of Iowa for three years and wrestled for their storied program.</p>
<p>Roger was drawn to West Point and the military through the influence of (and his admiration for) his uncle, Brigadier General Joseph Colby ’29. Roger also closely followed and was influenced by military leadership during World War II, particularly West Point graduates Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Patton. At West Point, Roger solidified his own personal code of conduct—grounded in the history, teachings, and traditions of the institution and the fine leaders it produced—and it guided him the rest of his life. </p>
<p>Roger joined the West Point Wrestling Team and continued to excel. A January 12, 1952 article by the Cornell Daily Sun (leading up to a match between Cornell and West Point) stated: “The West Pointers will have sophomore Roger Kolker in the 137-spot against Billy Van Gilder. Kolker, an Iowa boy, is highly rated by Academy officials.” While preparing for the 1952 U.S. Olympic trials, Roger had a career-ending knee injury that required surgery. Many months of rehab were required. One of the “benefits” of his rehab included visits from assistant football coach Vince Lombardi, who encouraged him to do his best and look to the future.</p>
<p>On October 22, 1952, a date forever etched into Roger’s mind, he had a blind date with Suzanne Griffin, a high school friend of roommate John Arnett. Another roommate, Jim Karns, and Roger would double date and run a routine of Roger claiming he was a poor, country farmer and then excusing himself from the table. Jim would tell Roger’s date that Roger was really rich. Both would get a big chuckle afterwards, but Roger found out he had met his match when Suzanne sent him a subscription to Farm Journal magazine. They would marry the day after graduation in the Cadet Chapel.</p>
<p>In his senior year, Roger was chairman of the Sunday Evening Lecture Program. He was most proud to personally secure American financier and statesman Bernard Baruch as a speaker—so much so that he kept all three letters he received from Mr. Baruch in his safe deposit box. In his letter, Mr. Baruch wrote, “I gave the message from you and your associates whom I met to President Eisenhower, saying that he must not worry about the Army-Navy Game. You certainly made good. I watched it over television and got a great thrill out of it. My congratulations. There is nothing like getting the other fellow’s ‘goat.’” Army beat Navy, 20-7.</p>
<p>Ten days before graduation, Roger was informed that, because of his knee injury, he would not be allowed to serve in the military and instead would receive a medical discharge upon graduation. This was devastating news, his goals shattered, as all he wanted to be was a soldier. Somewhat adrift, Roger secured an interview with General Albert Wedemeyer, who set his feet on the road to success.</p>
<p>After spending a year in NYC, Roger and his bride returned to Waterloo, where he joined his father’s insurance agency representing Loyal Protective Life. In 1963 he joined Mutual of New York (MONY), moving three times in five short years, and became a regional vice president in Atlanta. Three years later MONY acquired another insurance company in Minneapolis (North American Life & Casualty), where Roger was second in command as executive vice president. In 1977, Roger moved to Baltimore, where he became president and CEO of Monumental Life. He also served on many boards.</p>
<p>At the height of his insurance career, Roger kept a promise to himself that, by the age of 55, he would start a new vocation. He took early retirement and started the Kolker Consultancy, which focused on assisting small, privately owned businesses in need of major restructuring advice. Starting anew was slow and challenging, but he eventually developed a great set of clients and helped them to achieve their goals. For 25 years he made his primary residence in Key Colony Beach, FL. His second career was by far his most satisfying work, and only due to his wife’s declining health did he retire, at the age of 83. Many of his clients continued to seek his advice until he passed.</p>
<p>Roger and Suzanne were the proud parents of Roger Jr., Karolyn, and Sara, noting they had all successfully flown the coop. They had three grandchildren: Kathryn, Russell, and Helen; and to date two great-grandchildren, Blakely and Cooper.</p>
<p>Roger was an eternal optimist, seeing challenges as opportunities. He encouraged everyone always to “have fun” and “want to win!” At his 90th birthday celebration, his last words to family and friends were, “I just want everybody to be happy every day!”</p>
<p><em>— His children</em></p>
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