Update 9/8/21 on behalf of Fred Mayrhofer:
Many of you knew and umpired with Roger and even if you didn’t, you may be interested in the article below from the Orange County Register. The family contacted me today and asked me to let you all know that A Life Celebration will be held virtually over Zoom on Monday, September 20, 2021, at 5:30 PM.
If you would like to be included, send an email to Roger’s son John at argentarmadillo@yahoo.com. He said he would make sure you receive the Zoom invite. Should you like to say something about your relationship with Roger, include that in your request. Make sure to include your name and correct email so he can copy and paste and not have to type all those emails. If you would like, copy me on your response so I can help if needed. (fmayrhofer@verizon.net)
I’m sure I missed some People so feel free to forward this to other umpires and friends of Rogers.
Love to the Denny Family.
Fred Mayrhofer
Central District UIC
Roger Merrill Denny, the first male kindergarten teacher in the Garden Grove Unified School District, died on August 13 at the age of 78. He leaves behind a legacy of countless changed lives and endless shared wisdom to those who knew him.
Born in Indianapolis, Roger’s family came to Pasadena when he was a small child. He participated in many activities as a youth, from baseball to band, and twice marched in the Rose Parade as a sousaphone player. Joining the Army in the years prior to the Vietnam war, Roger served the Army Security Agency as a radio intercept operator.
Upon leaving the service he moved to Long Beach where he worked as a telephone linesman. Here he met his wife-to-be, Fay in 1965. They were married in 1966 and he went on to finish his degree in Communications at Cal State Long Beach, graduating in 1970.
Roger made history when he was hired as the first male kindergarten teacher by the Garden Grove Unified School district. Over the course of his 30-year teaching career, he taught children from kindergarten to 6th grade, receiving recognition both from the district and the state.
Roger’s interest in amateur radio never waned after his military service, and he was an active Ham his entire life, earning an extra class license (WB6ARK, later shortened to W6ARK) and joining the DX Century Club for having contacted over 100 countries.
Roger’s greatest passion, however, was in sports officiating, primarily of fast-pitch softball. He spent decades working with ASA (Now USA), NFHS, and the NCAA as an umpire for all levels of softball, from recreational to Division 1. Even after suffering a stroke that left him unable to umpire he continued serving the community as an observer and instructor for several years.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Fay, his daughter Susan and her husband Jon Cullison, his son John, his grandchildren Kinzie and Remy Cullison, his brother Chris and his sister Linda Knox. A life celebration will be held virtually over Zoom.
