Roger Robert Stearman

Happy Birthday Dad!  Since you passed 8-1/2 months ago, I've shared many stories and visits with people whose lives you touched. I've met many great people who all miss you, and remember you so fondly for the genuine man you were.  These visits have been a true testament to the life you lived, the values which you lived by, and the positive impresssions you made on so many.  It has been a pleasure for me to connect with your old friends, and visit your hometown and roots.  Although it is still difficult to accept that you're gone, I am so proud to have been your stepson. I'm still golfing, and maybe this will be the year your lessons pay off and I break 100! You'll be the first to know.

Roger was a life long friend of mine as he and his cousin, Ron Hammond and I lived across the street (Oak  St.) in Ferrysburg, Mich.  I remember him as a roly-poly kid as he and his mother, Eldora, lived for a time with his grandmother, Mrs. Plews on the cormner fo Oak and 3rd st.  One of my most memorable things I remember was when Roger got a very bad case of poison-ivy and he was covered with it.  It was so bad that he had to be tied down in bed, with noclothes to keep from scratching.  I could hear him crying across the street where I lived.  We had great times and yes the boat racing was surely in his blood as I and others crewed for him in the VAnPelt boats on the Grand River.  It was just a few years ago, in 2005, when he and Ron called me in Grand Haven, where I live, as they were in town for their class reunion and we played golf at Grand Haven Golf Club and had a great day together.  It was the last time I saw Ron and Roger and  feel bad that they both are now gone.  I do remember Roger's brother, Ken Martin, and I have noticed that both Ken and Ron are buried in the Grand Haven cemetary .  If he's to buried there, I will look for him.  My sympathy to you and your family .  RogerVanderMolen

your dad and step-dad instilled great qualities in you both.  i'm quite sure you both will carry rog's life experiences and knowledge with you throughout the rest of your lives.  i know he taught me many things as well..............................jack      

Hello.  My parents, Roger and Blanche Dykehouse, were dear friends with Roger.  My dad and Roger had so much fun working on racing boats and racing.  Over the years my parents had so many good times with Roger.  I have loved the stories about the good times my dad has told over the years.  I am so sorry he is gone but am glad he is no longer sufffering.  God Bless you Mr. Stearman...Heaven is a better place with you there.  

I had the great pleasure to be a driver and golf partner to Mr. Stearman in the late summer-early fall months of 2009.  I enjoyed getting to know him, and marvelled at his competitiveness on the golf course, each and every day that he went to the first tee.   He was a gentleman of great passion, dignity, and resolve ... I send my condolences to Ben & Matt, and all his friends and loved ones.

I did not know Ben's Dad very well, but what I do know is that his son Ben is a a result of Roger. Ben is kind, articulate, caring, and committed to the things he loves. All traits I am almost positive Ben received from his Dad. So Thank You Roger for bringing us Ben and to Roger - godspeed my friend - you will always be remembered.

How shocked we were to hear of Roger's passing. He was a great man and shared his knowledge and wisdom throughout his life. And what about that chocolate cake he loved.  You will be missed by many Roger, rest in peace. We love you.

Allthough it has been many years since we've spoke, I have often thought about you. The great visits to woodwind have left so many wonderful memories. One of my favorite pictures of my son Lou jr. and his cousin Dom jr. was taken on the steps of the cottage at Woodwind. I think about the welcome that you and Lynn extended to us when we came to visit. The conversation about old boat motors that we shared, I will allways remember. You were allways interested in how my buisness was doing and from each conversation you inspired my drive to succeed. I want to thank you for the love you have shown and the guidance you gave to Matt as he grew up. I think of Matt as a brother and am very proud of his success as a son, father, member of this family and business man.  You have touched so many lives in a positive way and I will never foget your great freindship.    

I was lucky to be Rogers friend for over 60 years.  We met when I was 11 years old, graduated with him in 1955 and Joe Boomgaard and I crewed for him and Bob Nauta in the early years of his boat racing career.  I am proud to have been one of his friends.  My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his other friends and family.  My solace comes from knowing he is with our other boat racing buddies who preceeded him, and I am sure they are now racing the the clouds.

Dear Roger, It broke my heart when you and Lynn broke up and took away the excitement that I always felt when driving up that long black top driveway entrance to "Wood Wind". for a long time I was mad at you for the heart break that was felt by Lynn and then by me. It took me many years to recognize that it just did not work for you and Lynn. I want you to know now that I have reconcilled this in my heart and that I am at peace and I hope you will be at peace too. I want you to know that Lynn and i spend numerous hours together and I remember fondly that this gave you such pleasure knowing of this special relationship tha Lynn and I share. I know you always cared for me and thank you for the good times. May you have eternal happiness.  Marolyn Freschi

Roger, Your life was much to short, but you managed to cram a lot into it. Among your many accomplishments was the wonderful home, "Wood Wind" that you and Lynn put together in Carmel. This wonderful place provided the destination for many of Marolyn and my trips for week end visits spending time with you and Lynn and enjoying it's peace and serenity. You were always very generous with our family and I think you enjoyed having them visit as much as we enjoyed being there sharing good food, drink, golf and comradery. We had a lot of special week ends with you when even our firends were welcomed by you. I really enjoyed knowing your brother Ken and because of you Ken and I had some good times playing golf. Now you and Ken are together again and I am sure you have already played a few rounds on that great golf course in the sky. Well Dear Roger, I pray that you will rest in peace and enjoy the peace and serenity that the after life has in store for you. You will be missed by all who knew you ,

John Freschi

I too am deeply saddened to hear the world has truly lost a wonderful man that touched so many of our lives in so many different ways.  I was a single mother of 4 children in 1982 when Roger put his faith in me and hired me.  Roger also guided me in both the engineering and business world always putting his trust in me, treating me so kindly, he helped me personally through many difficult times.  Always there to lend his ear and tell me his great stories from his life (we had quite a few laughs).  Anyone who was fortunate enough to have had Roger touch their lives was truly blessed by a man with such wonderful values, true friendship, generosity, dignity and what an honorable man he was... to all his family and friends, I am truly sorry for your loss.  Just know, he made a mark on this world and left it a better place.  Thank you Roger!

Thank you Roger for being the father figure in my life. All of the advice and guidance you've given me through out my life has helped make me the man I am today. Whether it was my first car or first car accident, you've helped to teach me the highs and lows of life's lessons.  Thank you for always being there for me when I needed fatherly advice. Thank you for your committment to me and believing in me - I will continue to make you proud. You have instilled your core values of honesty and integrity into me, and I will live by them and pass them along to my family. Your legacy will remain strong in our household forever, and we will cherish the stories and memories of so many great times with you. I already miss you terribly.  Thank you for being such a great dad.

I am deeply saddened to hear of Roger's passing.  Except for my parents, Roger was the most influential person in my life.  In fact, he truly was my mentor.  Throughout my employment at EDC, through the days of owning my own business and afterward in life, we would talk and talk about the whys and hows of business and life.  And now that he's gone, I realize that those talks were too few and far between.  I will miss you, Roger.  Thanks for everything.