First, let me say that I pray that God uses Roger's death like his life to touch people. I also pray for special strength for his immediate family and his dad. I would think seeing a child die before you would be one of the worst pains a parent could feel.

I also want to say that if you talked with Roger for 10 minutes, you likely talked to him 8 or 9 more than I was ever able to. So, there are many who "know" him better than I.

I had thought we would hang on to Roger for quite a while, but that isn't the case. Doug, Anthony, Terry McMillian and now Roger. One would think that God is in the need of band members up there. Roger asked God to let him live to see his kids graduate from high school, and did. Then he asked the Lord to renegotiate and make it grandkids.

As a pianist, Roger was not an Anthony Burger type of player, but after Anthony was ineligable to win the Singing News award after winning it 10 years in a row, Roger went on to win it 14 in a row. Anthony covered the keyboard, whereas Roger's gifts were in other styles. Steve Lee and Kirk Talley wanted the Cathedrals to hire Roger when they heard him play while opening for the Cathedrals. Steve was playing the piano AND singing baritone and the Cathedrals didn't see the need to get a pianist at that time as they were rebuilding after losing Lorne Matthews, Roy Tremble and George Amon Webster leaving George and Glen as the only "Cathedrals" left. Kirk and Steve finally talked George and Glen into coming out of the bus and listening to Roger. They were impressed and offered him the job. Roger played from 1979 until the Cathedrals retirement in the last of 1999 except for a couple of years where he left to start a record company and play in the studio. Gerald Wolfe was hired. After a couple of years, Gerald left to start a solo career, and the Cathedrals didn't have to look far because Roger came back. They recorded the I've Just Started Living CD (the first I bought brand new off the shelf.) Later, I got videos, albums, and tons of other things.

Not only was Roger a pianist, but he sang with them as well. He filled in for Glen after Glen passed away on October 15, 1999. George said they had different ways to go to finish the tour (which Glen had asked them to do) and decided they wanted to keep it in the Cathedrals family by having Roger do it.

He also added a lot to their performances not just arranging, but in his sense of humor. The first time I saw this was on a video where the Cathedrals were going to do a song from their acapella Christmas album. Roger made this nice speech about how good they were and such before sliding into a joke about being tired of acapella singing. I about hit the floor. Then, they sang Wonderful Grace Of Jesus acappella as well. Later, I saw other glimpses of this on stage with the Cathedrals. One of the times that I thought was typical Roger being himself was his dancing across the stage on the song "We'll Understand it Better By and By" on the Cathedrals Farewell Celebration video. Another funny thing from there was his "scolding" Buddy Greene for stealing his "moment" on “Life Will Be Sweeter.” Another favorite moment is the piano duet with Scott Fowler. This sense of humor served Roger well in times of struggle. When told that the chances of his father and his bone marrow being a 100% match, Roger quipped that it was no big deal because Arkansas the family tree didn’t fork.

One cannot overlook his songwriting. When The World Looks At Me, I've Read The Back Of The Book (and we win), Jesus Saves, Don't Be Afraid, Healing and several others were recorded by the Cathedrals and Legacy Five.

Roger was an open person. I’ll never forget his sharing of his peaks and valleys during the many challenges he had. He shared his first thoughts when told he had cancer were of a death sentence instead of faith. However, God gave him the song Healing and used him mightily. He also told about being in the shower when he got the news about his cancer not showing up and how he could imagine falling in the shower and cracking his head open while acting like a fool, and imagine how God and people would react when THAT was what killed him instead of the cancer.

Roger never minded showing people his licks on the piano (so, I am told) and he also released two videos and one Nashville Numbers video that had tons more material than anything on the market I ever heard of. He wanted to squeeze as much on there as he could, and didn’t mind letting people see that he made mistakes. He was thankful to be there and wanted to encourage those starting out. I loved to see the evolution of “We Shall See Jesus” seeing him add so much more to it in the latter years and seeing him take songs that I didn’t care for the studio versions of, but giving new life on stage with his additions on the piano.

Roger was blessed with a wife who stood by him, a son who went on the road with him, and a daughter who I believe quit school temporarily to help out with office work while he was laid up. In an age where too many people forego putting a love offering in, or at best putting a dollar in, fans rallied to his assistance and gave over $600,000 in three months when he needed the first transplant. Although I am sure some gave large donations, I also imagine many smaller gifts (which to me speaks volumes as to how many people cared for him.)

Roger had just had his 48th birthday. In years, he was not given a lot, but I think he made a huge, huge difference in those years. They say it isn’t the years in your life, but the life in your years. Roger, I believe, made the most of the time, if not before, after realizing how short life can be. After writing many great songs and writing and singing about "Healing", Roger has that healing.

I would love to hear other thoughts on him from anyone on the board.

The Cats used to come up to southern Ontario a lot in the mid to late 80's until their retirement. We'd go hear them every chance we got. Roger was the first one that my sisters and I had a conversation with and through him we were privileged to be acquainted with the rest of these special people.
You could talk about anything with Roger, and laugh about everything. We'd talk a little about music but more about life and faith and people and relationships. If he saw us with any guys, we would get teased unmercifully. Then he'd give a little advice, but would end up talking about Debbie and how wonderful she was. He'd talk about Chelsea and Jordan and proud he was of them.
He was so down-to-earth and real about his faith and real about life.
I remember the first time he was diagnosed with the disease, we heard about it when we were at Opryland for a concert and we were stunned. Just couldn't believe it.
The next time we saw them, Roger was staying in the bus, but Scott asked if we would like to go out and see him. He came out with his mask on in the bitter Michigan wind, and we hugged and chatted.
We were there at the last Cats concert in Toronto, and Glen wasn't there. That was just so...unreal. Then that NQC when Glen called in from the hospital...
Roger gave us special passes for the last Cats farewell concert that NQC, and the debut concert of Legacy 5. I remember we were late getting there for Cats portion, so we hung out backstage. We were able to sit in the front section for the Leg 5 concert and were blown away. Roger was so proud of his new group...
We weren't able to hear and see Leg 5 as much as we had the Cats, but every time we could we tried to catch their concerts. In between we'd have occasional emails from Roger...now I have to take his address out of my email contacts...
We were privileged to meet Debbie a few times, and Chelsea and Jordan. I know they must have met thousands of people over the years. And I know that probably the SGM family spent more time with Roger than his own family did. I think Debbie is an amazing person, and incredibly strong, and my heart goes out to her, and the kids, and Roger's dad. You always hear that the hardest thing in life is losing a child.
It has been a long time since I was able to talk to Roger...the last I recall was NQC in '05. He was sitting on his stool and the crowd was lined up for several yards...we only exchanged a few words and a hug, he was incredibly tired and the strain was obvious. I can't remember what he said, or I said, but it was, as always...upbeat and encouraging. His faith was like that. Not ignoring the obvious, not in any way fake or a mask for anything...it was just a strong, sure knowledge that the Lord would see him through regardless.
Those are my memories of this wonderful person. Yes, he was a great musician and songwriter, and all the musical accolades anyone has ever said about him probably apply.
But this is what I remember. A "real", caring, strong, funny, deep man who enjoyed people and what he did, who loved the Lord with all his heart.
My sisters and I will miss him.