Roger Gene Hauenstein, age 61, passed away in Seattle on April 6, 2015 after a lengthy battle with health issues. Roger arrived in this world on August 3, 1953, the oldest of four children born to Glenn and Glenna Hauenstein.

McMinnville, Ore. was his home for the first three years, where he spent many fun times with the Jacob relatives. Later homes were in Hermiston, Ore. and on the family farm between Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley, Wash. In sixth grade he was very proud to be allowed to start driving tractor for his Grandpa Hauenstein, cleaning cow barns and helping in the fields. In 1966 the family moved to Oroville.

Roger loved music and enjoyed playing piano, guitar and baritone horn. In high school he was a member of the Band, Key Club, Science Club and Honor Society.

After graduation in 1971, Roger attended college at Western Washington University for several quarters, and then he enlisted in the Navy. He was stationed in Japan and was a weatherman on the ship Oklahoma City. One of the most exciting events was when the ship was involved with evacuating people from Saigon. His Navy experience was cut short when he became ill with Hodgkin’s disease in 1975. After recovering from two surgeries and radiation treatments, he attended Seattle Pacific University.

In 1979, Roger began a 30 year career driving Seattle Metro buses. He had a long-time friend and companion and helped her raise her three children. Later, he also enjoyed being “Grandpa Roger” to the two granddaughters.

He always loved driving. Many of his happiest times were getting away from city traffic to drive his car into the hills on back roads, admiring the scenery and especially the buildings on the old homesteads. From a very young age Roger was interested in gardening. He spent several years with help from friends, landscaping his property in Seattle. People would admire the beautiful results and inquire what company he had hired to do it, which pleased him.

Roger is survived by his mother, Glenna, in Oroville; sister Marjory (Bob) Brandon of Spokane; brother, Philip, of Oroville; sister, Susan (Robert) Hauenstein-Kelley of Stanwood and four nephews and two nieces. His father, Glenn, passed away on October 30, 2014.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.