Dr. Roger A. Baskerville

Dr. Roger Alan Baskerville, age 66, of Washington, KS, passed away Wednesday, March 6 at the Washington County hospital following a short illness. Visitation was Friday, 4 to 8 p.m., at Ward Funeral Home in Washington. The family received friends from 5 to 7. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, March 9, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Greenleaf. Pastors Keith Kohlmeier and Timothy Lorenz officiated. Sheila Ouellette played the organ while Wylie Alexander sang “How Great Thou Art”. The congregation sang “Amazing Grace” and “Be Still, My Soul.” The recessional was “On Eagles Wings.” The pallbearers were Brian Baskerville, Alan Baskerville, Brent Baskerville, Chris Stoppel, Jon Stoppel, Dustin Rogge, Jim Johannes and Gayle Peterson. The honorary pallbearers were Larry Stoppel, Leo Schwartz, Randy Hiltgen, Paul Monty, Jason Crome, Chad Parker, Chad Hiltgen and Spencer Price. Burial was in Afton Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery. Roger was born on May 8, 1946 in Fort Dodge Iowa to George Irvin and Anna (Rassler) Baskerville. He spent his childhood on the family farm in Jolley, IA, and attended Lytton Community School where he graduated valedictorian in 1964. Roger attended William Penn University in Oskaloosa, IA, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1968. He then attended the University of Nebraska on a fellowship and received his master’s degree in English in 1969. Following graduation he enlisted in the U.S. army and served until he was honorably discharged in 1970 because of an injury. After teaching two years of English at the Laurens, IA, high school he returned to the University of Nebraska where he received his doctorate in secondary administration in 1974. On August 14, 1971, he was united in marriage with Diane Neppl in Fonda, IA. To this union five children were born. Roger spent his career as a superintendent of schools in Lohrville, IA, Washington, KS, and at Golden Plains in Rexford, KS. He was a champion of rural schools doing his doctoral thesis on the small schools in his home county. He served on the board of P.U.R.E. (People United for Rural Education). Late in his career Roger answered the call to ministry and was consecrated a deacon in the LCMS church. He has served the Pastorate at Afton Trinity LCMS since 1997. Roger was a member of the Washington Lions Club, Linn American Legion, Washington PRIDE, Kansas Association of Retired School Personnel, and served on the Washington County Hospital Board. He also served on the Washington County Sesquicentennial Committee and is the author of their book Memories…Our Treasures from the Past. He was preceded in death by his parents. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Diane, Washington; daughters, Sara (Jason) Crome, Hanover, KS, Amanda (Chad) Parker, Waterville, KS, Elizabeth (Chad) Hiltgen, Washington, KS, Teresa (Spencer) Price, Marysville, KS; son, Richard (Lindsey) Baskerville, Washington; ten grandchildren, Trista and Elijah Crome; Caden, Everson, and Easten Parker; Zachary, Sophia and Emma Hiltgen; Isla Price; and Amelia Baskerville; brother, Greg (Mary) Baskerville, Fonda, IA; and several nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. A memorial fund has been established and will be designated at a later date. Contributions may be sent in care of Ward Funeral Home, 115 W 2nd, Washington, KS 66968. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Dr. Roger A. Baskerville, please visit our flower store.