Roger C. Sewell, 91, of Waterloo, died Monday, Aug. 29, 2011, at Friendship Village. Roger was born Oct. 23, 1919, in rural Bremer County near Waverly, the son of Orrin Floyd Sewell and Mary (Mamie) Delana Whitney.

Five months later they moved to rural Maynard. Roger attended Maynard School through 10th grade. The family then moved to Fayette, where he finished high school in 1938. He then attended Upper Iowa University.

Roger worked at his father’s service station and garage until being hired as a tool grinder by John Deere in March 1941. Over the years, he worked as a supervisor with various maintenance jobs at the Westfield plant. He transferred to the Engine Works when it opened in 1975 as a supervisor of skilled trades in several departments. He retired in 1980 after 39 years.

On Feb. 16, 1945, he married Mary Crawford at Barclay Presbyterian Church south of Dunkerton.

Roger volunteered with the Boy Scouts in many areas, including serving as an assistant district commissioner. He also attended the National Boy Scout Ranch in Philmont, N.M. Roger volunteered for his church, Bethel Presbyterian, in various capacities. Over the years, he had memberships in the Boy Scouts of America; the Society of Manufacturing Engineers; and the Exchange Club.

The family took yearly vacations and in their later years, they spent 14 winters in Florida. They moved into Friendship Village in 1997 where he enjoyed working in the woodworking shop.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; three children, Rodney (Kimberly) Sewell of Philadelphia, Mary Jane (Bill) Campbell of Spencer and Kathy (Doug) Mursch of Bastrop, Texas; three grandchildren, Anna, Bridget and Micah; and two sisters, Mildred Chase of Monticello, Minn., and Geri Burns of Mercer, Penn.

He was preceded in death by his parents.