Dr. Roger M. Adams of Plymouth, MN passed away on Friday, January 29, 2021.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, parents Floyd and Marie Adams and his sisters, Margaret Jagodzinski and Nancy Keller. He is survived by sons Steve (Debb) of Plymouth, Mark (Kathy) of Highlands Ranch, CO, and Chris (Trish) of Plymouth, grandchildren Dina (Patrick Griswold), Karly, Riley (Greg) Hubbard, Bri, Koby, Kate and Kellyn, and great grandchildren Callie and Reese Griswold.
Dr. Adams received his BS and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. He joined Wayzata Schools as a sixth-grade teacher at Wayzata Elementary School in 1951. During his career in the Wayzata School District, he was the Principal of Beacon Heights School, Principal of Widsten School and the first Principal of Oakwood School in 1958-1959, the first Principal of Sunset Hill School in 1963-1964, Director of Elementary Education, Director of Personnel, Executive Director of Human Resource Services, and Interim Superintendent of Schools. He was a member of several organizations and was past President of the Minnesota Association of School Personnel Administrators and past President of St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church.
In his retirement he was very active in the Wayzata Association of Retired Educators, coordinating their activities for a number of years. He and Donna enjoyed spending time with their grandchildren at their home on Lake Independence where he could often be found captaining the pontoon for happy hour cruises or trips to the swimming hole. Roger was a loyal Gopher sports fan, tuning in to watch any game he could. And if you were lucky enough to receive his holiday cards, you know he was an avid letter writer, storyteller and talented artist. In the last year, he could be often be found at the puzzle table at Summerwood. He and Donna also enjoyed annual winter trips to Mexico and Jamaica and demonstrated their passion for education by supporting the Colgate Early Childhood Institution outside of Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Private Memorial Service for Roger will be held 11 am Friday, February 12 at St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church in Plymouth. Extended family and friends are invited to join the service virtually and download the worship folder at spdlc.org/livestream.
Memorials are preferred to St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, The Roger M. Adams Scholarship for Elementary Teachers at the University of Minnesota, Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners, or the donor’s choice.
