Roger Spilde

Roger Spilde, 85, Moorhead, MN, died Friday, October 31, 2014, in his home in Moorhead, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Roger Harlan Spilde, the son of Iver and Hilda (Bolson) Spilde, was born in Decorah, Iowa, on October 8, 1929. He grew up and received his education in Decorah, where he graduated from both high school in 1948, and Luther College in 1956. He received his master's degree from the University of Iowa in 1958.

Roger served his country in the US Army, from 1951 until March of 1953. He served overseas in Germany.

On June 19, 1955, Roger was united in marriage to Barbara Nasett, in Clear Lake, Iowa. In 1958, the family moved to Moorhead, where Roger became a professor at Concordia College, in the economics department. In 1995, he was awarded the position of Reuel and Alma Wije Distinguished Professorship. Roger retired from Concordia in 1997.

In retirement, Roger and Barbara continued to reside in Moorhead. He was an active member of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd where he served three terms as president of the congregation and on many committees, as well as volunteering for numerous activities. He went on many mission trips including teaching VBS through LAMP (Lutheran Association of Missionaries and Pilots) for 24 years. Roger was involved in MCEIA (Midwest Cooperative Education and Internship Association) since 1975, serving as president in 1992 and was named the first recipient of the Educator of the Year Award in 1997. Since 1997, he volunteered for SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), mentoring many clients in starting small businesses.

Roger is survived by his wife, Barbara, Moorhead; five children, Kristi (Carter) Mann, Camden, Maine, Peter (April) Spilde, Washington, DC, Erik Spilde, Mexico Beach, FL, Paul (Shanen) Spilde, Moorhead, and Karen Spilde, also Moorhead; four grandchildren, Paul Jr., Kayla, Nichole, and Abby, all Spilde; and a brother, Vernon, Decorah. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister-in-law, Kathryn.

Visitation: Monday, 4 PM to 7 PM, with prayer service at 7, in Korsmo Funeral Chapel, Moorhead. Funeral: Tuesday, November 4, 2014, at 2 PM, in Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Moorhead. Burial at Prairie Home Cemetery, Moorhead. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorials be given to Good Shepherd, Concordia, or Hospice.

(Korsmo Funeral Service, Moorhead)