Richard "RJ" John Roghair

Richard "RJ" John Roghair passed away early Friday morning, October 18, 2024, in the SD Veterans Home in Hot Springs, S.D. A ten-year resident of Custer, South Dakota, Richard was born in Okaton, South Dakota, on January 18, 1941, to Jacob and Grace Roghair.

Richard was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy with 30 years of service, enlisting the day after his 21st birthday and retiring in 1993. Richard was a Communications System Tech Control Supervisor and Communications System Manager. Richard received his fifth Good Conduct Award on April 28, 1985. He also received a Navy Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Sea Service Medal during his career in the Navy. His tour of duties, with his family, took him to Northwest Cape, Australia, where his oldest daughter was born and Keflavik, Iceland, where his younger daughter was born. He served in Izmir, Türkiye, Rota, Spain, and a second tour in Iceland again with his family. In addition, he served on a number of ships, including an ocean-going tugboat.

After Richard retired from the Navy, he was employed at EDO Corporation, in Chesapeake, Virginia, retiring a second time after about 13 years.

Visitation was on October 25, 2024,  at 9:00 in the morning with the service following at 10:00 a.m. The funeral service was held at McColley's Funeral Home in Custer, S.D., located at 234 N. 6th Street.

Retired Minister James Roghair (a cousin of Richard) officiated. Pallbearers were grandsons Joshua and Zach Tainowitz, great-grandsons Noah and Jonah Tainowitz, Elijah Esterday, and Jacob Hubert.

Burial occurred in the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, S.D. at 2:00 p.m. the same day.

Richard's hobby was photography, which he really enjoyed so he was always behind the camera instead of in front of it. We have lots of pictures but few of RJ.

Richard was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents, and two siblings, brother Melvin and sister Alice. He is survived by his wife, Violet, 58 years, two daughters, Jackie (Billy) Singer, and Teresa (Paul) Requejo, five grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Also, two brothers, Lawrence, and Jerry, and two sisters, Lorraine, and Lois.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, S.D.