My grandpa, Roger Briggs, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, Nov. 24.
He was loved and will be missed. I'm really glad I got to see him this summer but I really wish it wasn't the last time. He was super smart and witty. He was the first person to introduce me to using cameras and computers. We shared a love of new tech and gadgets. I named my son after him (Ryker is the Danish form of Roger).
Here is some more of his story...
Roger Briggs was born in 1937, in Cherokee, Iowa. He attended school in Marcus, Iowa, where he graduated from high school in 1955. Following graduation, Roger enlisted in the United States Air Force. He received his basic training at Parks Air Force Base in California. His permanent duty station was at K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Michigan, where he was a radar repairman. Roger earned his Honorable Discharge on Nov. 8, 1961, having attained the rank of Airman First Class. He farmed for 30 years. In 1990, they moved to Cleghorn, Iowa, and Roger took a position at Wells' Dairy in Le Mars. He worked at the south ice cream plant, retiring in 2002. He also helped others farm for many years. Roger loved doing anything with electronics and even constructed his own television. Other hobbies included woodworking and carving, bicycle riding and cross country skiing.
