Roger William Balvin

CELEBRANT
Fr. Gerald Thury
MUSIC
Organist ~ Kathy Koenig
Soloist ~ Tom Varilek
St. Leo Choir & Congregation
CASKETBEARERS
Dave Cusano
Bret Miller
Dave Varilek
Pete Balvin
Tim Balvin
Tom Berringer
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Marie Balvin
Matt Balvin
Ben Balvin
Konrad Balvin
Alex Balvin
Roger W. Balvin, 57, of Eugene, Oregon passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the VA Medical Center in Roseburg, Oregon. He passed peacefully in the arms of his loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at a later date in Tyndall, South Dakota with arrangements under the direction of Goglin Funeral Home of Tyndall. The family prefers that memorials be sent to the US Dept of Veterans Affairs Hospice, c/o Fran Smith, Community Living Center, 913 NW Garden Valley Blvd., Bldg. 81, Roseburg, OR 97471.
Roger William Balvin was born on Tuesday, May 27, 1952 at Tyndall, South Dakota to Romain Joseph and Lillian Ann (Varilek) Balvin.  His family moved to California in March of 1957. He was Valedictorian of the 1970 graduating class of St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda, California. His favorite sport was baseball and he played on the high school baseball team, the St. Joseph’s Pilots. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1975 and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He married Marie Kizer in Oakland, California on September 29, 1973. They had two incredible boys, Matthew and Benjamin. Roger’s admiration and love for Marie and those two boys is greater than mere words can express. Following his military service, Roger worked as a landscaper in western Washington before moving across the state to attend Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. After he received his Bachelor’s degree, the family moved to Oroville, Washington where he taught Agricultural Science and Algebra at the local high school. He later returned to the Colfax area and worked for the Soil Conservation Service. He also hosted a popular noon radio show on agriculture where he would sign off every show with the memorable phrase, “Until next time, keep those combines cutting.” Roger's great love for farming and agriculture continued past his "Farm Report" days on the radio show.  He partnered with James Boras, Sr. on an extensive hay producing operation in Elk Grove, California throughout the late 1990’s, and also managed and resided on the James Boras Farm. 
Roger touched the hearts of everyone.  He was a hard-working man who enjoyed camaraderie and laughter. He felt a strong love and loyalty towards his friends.  One of his greatest assets was his ability to be a true friend.  His thoughtful, caring manner in which he lived his life is a model for us all.  The simple lessons we have learned from him will be remembered for a lifetime.  His humanity towards everyone and everything will likely never be equaled. Roger was deeply spiritual and felt a close connection to God. He will be missed, but never forgotten.  He will be buried in South Dakota, however, his final resting stop will be in our hearts.  Until we meet again, Roger, we love you.
Roger is survived by two sons: Matthew David Balvin of Beaverton, Oregon and Benjamin Daniel Balvin of Tigard, Oregon; two grandchildren: Konrad Drake Balvin and Alexander Theron Balvin, both of Beaverton, Oregon; two brothers: Richard (Austa) Balvin of Aurora, Colorado and Bernard (Edrhys) Balvin of Bremerton, Washington; two sisters: Delores Luft of Moscow, Idaho and Denise (William) Cole of Crookston, Minnesota; and many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces, and countless friends from Sacramento to Portland.
In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by a brother, Robert, and a sister, Norma.