Roger Burton Helmer

Mar 23, 1942 -

Apr 30, 2023

Roger Burton Helmer, 81, passed away April 30, 2023, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hospital. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dona Helmer; daughter, Beth Knorr (Matthew); brother, James Grazioli (Becky); sisters-in-law, Terri Weiler (Gerry) and Margo Freeman (Lyle); and several nieces and nephews. Roger was born in Coldwater, Mich., to Worth Helmer and Cellus Sally Dunnavan. Worth died in WWII and Sally later married Ernest "Ernie" Grazioli, the man Roger considered to be his father.

Roger spent his life in service to others, often telling people he was a Boy Scout and a Marine and working on his "grumpy old man" persona. Influenced by his father Ernie, a WWII Bronze Star recipient, Roger enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Vietnam veteran. Later he dedicated his life to public education as a teacher and administrator, modeling loyalty, common sense and saying what he thought.

Roger loved traveling with his family. He enjoyed watching movies; listening to music, attending live performances; talking with others; solving problems; reading, reading, reading; playing computer games. He loved Heinz ketchup! He was the family chauffeur. Most Saturdays Roger read or napped in the van while waiting for "a" family to finish errands.

In recognition of their efforts and compassionate care the family extends sincere thanks to: AFD, ANMC and particularly the JBER 673d MDG orthopedic, ICU and MSU surgical, medical and care coordination teams.

Please remember Roger: sign up to be an organ donor; read a book; engage in a good discussion; order carrot cake in a restaurant and tip your servers well. He will be forever missed by those who love him. He requested no formal service be held. His ashes will be buried at Ft. Richardson National Cemetery on May 26, 2023, at 1 p.m.

Continuing Roger's spirit of service to others, please consider donating to Alaska Fisher House, http://www.akfisherhouse.org/.