Roger Norman Dews
November 10, 1930 - September 07, 2012
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Roger Norman Dews
November 10, 1930 - September 07, 2012
Obituary
ROGER NORMAN DEWS passed away on Friday, September 7,2012. He was 81 years old; Born November 10, 1930 in Bellingham to L. Norman and Mabel R. Dews. Roger was a graduate of Lynden High School, 1948; Western Washington College, 1952, with a Bachelor’s degree in secondary education and Columbia University, 1957, with a Master’s Degree in American Studies.
Roger was a Veteran of the US Navy, 1952-1956 during the Korean Conflict, serving aboard the Flagships USS Missouri, New Jersey, and the Wisconsin. While on the Missouri he served under Vice Admiral Joseph 1. Clark, commander of the US Seventh Fleet.
Roger taught in Santa Maria, California for 33 years at Santa Maria Union High school (l year) and Allan Hancock Jr. College (32 years). He was awarded the William Robertson Coe Fellowship from Stanford University. Roger loved spending summers and retirement at “The Ranch” near Birch Bay. He resided at
Merrill Gardens in Bellingham the last 5 years.
He was preceded in passing by his beloved parents and brother-in-law Henry (Hank) Chamberlin. He is survived by his sister Betty M. Chamberlin; nephew, Norm Chamberlin, wife Karen; niece, Sallie Chamberlin; great niece Cari Griffith, husband Rich, & Hayden & Baylee; great nephew Roger Chamberlin, wife Sheri, & Jake, Parker & Karson. A private family gathering will celebrate his life.
Please sign the online guest book and share your thoughts and memories of Roger.
11 responses to Roger Norman Dews
Joe Dana says:
September 7, 2012
Mr. Dews was the finest teacher I have ever known. He was the inspiration for me to major in history, and his encouragement motivated me to enter the field of education. His classes were not just about history, they were about life … and my own life is so much richer for having known him and learned from him. I will never forget you, Mr. Dews!
Lewis and Suzuko Howell says:
September 7, 2012
Dear Friends and Family–please accept our sympathy and share our memory of Roger as a loyal friend, good neighbor and reliable associate at Ranch Gardens Condominiums in Santa Maria.
Robert Visser says:
September 7, 2012
I had the privilege of having Mr. Dews as my history professor at Allan Hancock in 1990. He challenged the class to re-think their way of thinking by asking inspired, seemingly counter-intuitive questions at the beginning of every class. The result was that, in order to truly answer the questions, I had to “think about how I thought.” Beyond the history lessons were lessons on perception and abstraction. Taking his class was a pivotal moment in my life that started me down a road of self-awareness. In looking him up online today I discovered this tribute. In only one brief semester he made a lasting impact and I remember him as that “one teacher” who made the most difference.
Jack Miles says:
September 7, 2012
I was a colleague of Roger’s throughout his teaching career. No teacher ever lived his profession more than Roger, who was a mesmerizing lecturer, totally dedicated to serving his students. Years ago, there was a PBS show entitled, “To Serve Them All My Days,” a show that comes to mind when I think of Roger.
Walter Dews III says:
September 7, 2012
Well this is really, really late but my condolences on Roger’s passing. I had lost track of him some time back and just today Google his name trying to see what I could find. I have been doing lots of work on my family tree and finally got around to him. I am sorry we did not connect in his later years. It has been a long time since I saw him. My dad, Walter Dews II passed away at 94 on Thanksgiving. He poor old body was giving out on him but his mind was still sharp and he was more then ready to go.
Best Wishes.
Walt