Roger Charles Laurich (1941–2025)

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Roger Charles Laurich, who peacefully died surrounded by family on March 15, 2025 at the age of 83. He was a beloved husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle, and friend.

Born on April 29, 1941 in Chicago, Illinois to Bernice and William Laurich. Roger was forced to grow up quickly when the marriage didn't last. To help provide for his mother and two sisters, Nadine and Lydia, he got a job as a 15-year-old soda jerk in an ice cream parlor on Ashland Avenue in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. In the evenings, the family would make potato pancakes together and he would teach them all about the Chicago White Sox, as they listened to the games on a transistor radio.

A die-hard White Sox fan, Roger and his best friend, Tom Reilly, would pool their money to buy 60¢ seats in the bleachers at Comiskey Park. Once inside, they would scale the bleacher walls, jumping down to the pricier outfield grandstands where they'd linger for an inning or two before sneaking down to the premium-priced box seats. They'd last an inning, sometimes two, before the ushers discovered them and escorted them back to the bleachers.

Gene Jecka and Bobby LaMacki, joined Roger and Tom for everything else kids get into together. They were thick as thieves playing touch football at Sherman Park, basketball at Libby school yard, card games on Friday nights at Tom's Uncle's house, bowling at Gage Park Bowl-they did everything together except for dancing. Roger loved dancing and found a kindred soul in Tony Drake. Meeting as teachers, they had a passion for dancing and would spend hours as dance partners for others at the Willowbrook Ballroom.

Roger worked extremely hard to not only support his family, but to prioritize his education. He worked throughout college as a tie salesman and a backtender (paper roll production) for a Chicago newspaper. He completed his Bachelor's Degree at Northeastern Illinois University and
went on to be a talented and inspiring computer teacher at Paderewski School on the west side of Chicago. Many of those students have reached out to him over the years to express their gratitude and fondness for him, which in turn would make him light up and he would comment that he was the lucky one to have taught them.

Despite his many responsibilities, he always made time for his kids. Roger loved his children, Adam and Liesl, with his whole heart. He was an amazing father who said "I love you" to them every day and made sure they knew it. When they were younger, he would wake them up by singing 'O sole mio, from the top floor of the house to get them out of bed. He got them involved in sports when they were young, teaching them to throw a baseball, swing a bat and shoot a basketball. He coached their teams in grade school and he would be at every single one of their high school games cheering them on. He supported all their choices even though they may not have been the wisest at the time, but he was always there. He was proud of them for serving in the Army and Air Force and was always sporting a military hat or proud military parent shirt. He taught them the importance of education and love of family.

Roger loved being a grandpa to Jacob, Riley, Lydia and Xavier. He would go with Granny to Jacob's and Riley's sports games to cheer them on and watched them online if they couldn't be there in person. Always their number one fan.  He taught them how to make crepes and play board games, "letting" them win every now and then so they didn't get discouraged. He loved to read books to his grandkids, and told them stories from growing up, to the countries he's traveled to, adding the best grandpa jokes fortified by the best bear hugs that they felt to their bones.

Roger lived life to the fullest. Joined a ski club, shot pool, slung darts, rode horses, square danced. He could pitch a tent and toast marshmallows over a camp fire. He drove cross-country to visit his siblings. Sailed around the world and set foot in over 126 countries. His membership in the Schleswig Holsteiner Sangerbund (Men's German singing group), one of the highlights of his life, allowed him to bring Adam and Liesl along to Europe to immerse themselves in the culture, food, drinks and experience a schaumparty for the very first time.

Roger's love of travel and dance made him the perfect candidate to be a gentleman host on different cruise lines. As fate would have it, he met the love of his life, Cathey, on one of those cruises. He would request a Polka for them to dance to as the last dance of the night and they ignited the dance floor. He loved having her in his arms and said her smile lit up his whole world. They cruised and danced around the world together visiting friends and seeing sights- The Swiss Alps, Venice, Dubrovnik, Barcelona. He would boast that her cooking was unmatched and it was like eating a gourmet meal every night. He loved to love her and their love for each other was undeniable to anyone they met and an illustration of what soulmates looked like.

Roger was diagnosed in June 2024 with stage 4 lung cancer. In spite of grueling chemo treatments, he always wanted to see his family and friends, living each day to the fullest with Cathey by his side.

Roger is survived by his wife, Cathey; children, Liesl (Matthew) and Adam (Sheri); step-children, Megan (Phil) and Martin; grandchildren, Riley, Lydia, Xavier and Jacob; sister Nadine (David); nephews, Noah (Iseasa) and Benjamin; niece Dana (Rowan).

Roger was preceded in death by parents, Bernice and William, brother, Eric, and sister, Lydia.

A memorial service will be held on April 27th, 2025 at 2pm, visitation with the family at 1pm. Service will be held at St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 260 North Northwest Highway, Park Ridge, Illinois 60068.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrews Lutheran Church. St. Andrews is the church that Roger and Cathey were married in, Liesl and Matthew were married in, Riley, Lydia and Xavier were baptized in, and also where Roger would hear Cathey sing in the choir.  It is a special place to all of us.