Obituary for Roger John Rio
Roger John Rio of Black Mountain, died on Friday, January 1, 2021. He was born December 6, 1932 to Roger and Ann Rio of Jersey City, New Jersey. His family moved to the Bronx soon afterwards, where he enjoyed finding adventures with his friends. The family moved to Detroit when Roger was a teenager, where he graduated from Wayne State University. After serving in the United States Army for two years, he had a career as a chemical engineer, working for Champion Paper in Canton, North Carolina, and American Enka in Enka, North Carolina. He retired from BASF in Enka in 1986.
Roger was a lifelong engineer who always wanted to learn and enjoyed doing experiments. He was an active member of Black Mountain United Methodist Church and enjoyed serving the church and community. He loved to travel, build things in his workshop, create vegetable and rock gardens, play the piano, paint, car restoration, and explore new hobbies. He celebrated his 85th birthday by skydiving for the first time.
Roger is survived by his wife Jackie, with whom he shared a special partnership and great love. They enjoyed dancing, playing cards and Chinese checkers, long walks, and projects. He is also survived by his children Lucinda, Amy, and Jerry, and daughter-in-law Susan. A great joy of his life were his two grandchildren, Caleb and Ava. He loved to take them out on his handmade rowboat, play bocce and ping pong, and support all their interests and endeavors. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed.
A private internment is scheduled. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at a later date. Donations may be given to Black Mountain United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are made by Harwood Home for Funerals & Cremation Services. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com
Roger was a lifelong engineer who always wanted to learn and enjoyed doing experiments. He was an active member of Black Mountain United Methodist Church and enjoyed serving the church and community. He loved to travel, build things in his workshop, create vegetable and rock gardens, play the piano, paint, car restoration, and explore new hobbies. He celebrated his 85th birthday by skydiving for the first time.
Roger is survived by his wife Jackie, with whom he shared a special partnership and great love. They enjoyed dancing, playing cards and Chinese checkers, long walks, and projects. He is also survived by his children Lucinda, Amy, and Jerry, and daughter-in-law Susan. A great joy of his life were his two grandchildren, Caleb and Ava. He loved to take them out on his handmade rowboat, play bocce and ping pong, and support all their interests and endeavors. He was a loving and dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed.
A private internment is scheduled. A Celebration of Life Service will take place at a later date. Donations may be given to Black Mountain United Methodist Church.
Arrangements are made by Harwood Home for Funerals & Cremation Services. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com