Roger Adams

1928-2012

Roger Curtis Adams, former Southern Humboldt Unified School District Superintendent, died this last Saturday, March 10, 2012. He served from around 1972 until his retirement in 1989. He and his wife, JoAnn stayed in the area until  2001 when they moved to Vineyard Valley in St. Helena. He was an active Rotary Club member and well known in the area.  A reprint of his obit is below. Remembrances may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.

He was born in Salem, Oregon, December 21, 1928, an early Christmas gift to Alice and Orville Adams. He had a happy childhood in Salem, shared with his older sister, Mary Jane, brother, Bob, andyounger sister, Nancy.

During World War II, his father served in the Navy, so Roger attended five different high schools, graduating in 1946 from Burlingame High School. It was there he made friends that lasted a lifetime. With four of those, he chose to attend Willamette University where he was active in school affairs and was a member Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. In his senior year, he met a beautiful lady named JoAnn. In 1951 they were married and last June celebrated 60 great years of life together. Not long into their first year of marriage, he entered Stanford University Graduate School of Education, but was interrupted by the army when his reserve unit at the Presidio was activated.

While at Ft Huachuca, Arizona, their first child, Allan was born. Upon Roger’s discharge from the army, he returned to California to resume his studies at Stanford where he received a Masters degree in education. In 1953 he began his teaching and administrative career at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale. In May of 1954, daughter, Jennifer was born, followed by Allyson in 1956, Elizabeth in 1958 and Amanda in 1959. In 1963, he moved his family to Forestville, California where he became the first principal of El Molino High School. After 9 successful years there, he accepted the position of Superintendant of Southern Humboldt Unified School District in Garberville. He served successfully there until his retirement in 1989. He and JoAnn continued to live there until 2001 when they moved to Vineyard Valley in St. Helena.

He was active in the Rotary Club of Guernville, Garberville and St. Helena. He was also a baseball card collector and a World War II historian.

In addition to his wife and 5 children, he leaves behind 4 son-in-laws, Dave, Tom, Steve and Bob; 8 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

A service to honor Roger’s life will be held Thursday, March 15 at 1:00pm in the Tulocay Chapel followed by a celebration at the Vineyard Valley Clubhouse in St. Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Rotary Club Foundation. Memories and words of sympathy may be sent to the family on-line at www.tulocaycemetery.org.