Roger Lamar Rue's Obituary
Roger Lamar Rue April 11, 1934 – November 24, 2014
Roger died in the company of his family, at home as a result of head and neck cancer.
Born in Warren, Pennsylvania to Harland and Ora Rue, Roger graduated from Severn Prep School in Maryland in 1952. He obtained an advanced degree in Architecture from Penn State University on a NROTC Scholarship in 1957. Upon graduation he married Nancy Shafer and together they had two children, Neil and Ann.
Following his tour of duty in the Navy as a Gunnery Officer, Roger moved to Tacoma, Washington to pursue his career and his passion for sailing. After being widowed, he wed Cheryl Torchio in 1962 and the family grew with the birth of daughter, Sheila in 1967.
He established his own architectural firm with college classmate, Thomas Butler. During this partnership of almost 25 years, their firm specialized in the design of schools and earned several awards. Professionally he was involved with the local chapter of AIA and was a Member of the Washington State Architectural Licensing Board. Further, he was a Director of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB).
Roger was an active supporter of his adopted community during more than five decades in the Tacoma area. This included the local PTA, The Jaycees, GYRO, and Board Membership for the Pantages Theater, Annie Wright School and Foss Waterway Seaport. He also supported and volunteered for the Jr. Sailing Program and the Prison Pet Partnership Program.
Reflecting his passion for sailing, Roger was Commodore of Corinthian Yacht Club; a long-time member of the Tacoma Yacht Club, serving on numerous racing and club committees; a member of the San Juan Island Yacht Club and the Cruising Club of America (CCA). He raced in and won many sailing competitions throughout the Puget Sound and Canada, competing in 25 consecutive Swiftsure Race events out of Victoria BC. Skippering his own boat in the Vic-Maui Race in 1982, he was Navigator in the same event in 1984. He also enjoyed the Old Salts and the Taco Tuesday groups of long time boating friends. “Rue’s Rules”, an illustrated book of sailing rules, exemplifies his wit and sense of play along with his artistic talent.
Also a cruiser, beginning in the 1970s, Roger explored the Western Hemisphere through extended sailings and authored “Circumnavigating Vancouver Island”. In addition to his cruising guide, he shared his experiences by penning several articles for sailing and cruising periodicals. He helped initiate “Three Sheets to the Wind”, a dinner and program group to share cruising experiences before setting off on his own passage through the Panama Canal and throughout the Caribbean.
A seeker of adventure, Roger learned to SCUBA dive and he became an airplane pilot flying his Cessna 172 for the final time on his 80th birthday.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents and brother Harland Joseph II (Buzz). He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Judith Alleman Smith, his three children Neil (Karen), Ann Katsikapes (Hazli) and Sheila De Cotaeu (Randy), step sons; Troy Smith and Torgun Smith (Peggy), thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Foss Waterway Seaport or your favorite charity.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Tacoma yacht Club on Sunday, December 7 at 4pm followed by refreshments.
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