Roger Brogren

Roger R. Brogren

Roger was born on February 10, 1933, in Gothenberg Sweden to Knut and Karin (Rönbomm) Brogren.  He came to the U.S. in 1960 and landed a job at 3M, where he worked for 30 years.  After retiring from 3M he worked for Hedstrom Engineering as Vice President of Operations for 10 years.  He became a naturalized citizen in 1977.

Roger had one son (Nicholas) born 1983 with his first wife Waltraud (Schweighard) to whom he was married from 1970-2001. Roger and Kim (Colas) were married in 2008.

Roger loved to be involved with people.  He belonged to various clubs at 3M, including the Sports Car club where he made many friends.  He was president of the Soaring Society chapter in White Bear Lake Benson Airport and was a leader in his son's Boy Scout Troop 433.  Roger contributed to his community, including volunteering as election judge, watching out for his neighbors, and serving in the Civil Air Patrol ("CAP") for over 20 years. During his time in CAP he earned the role of St. Croix Squadron Commander in Lake Elmo, MN, for 9 years and later as Operations Director for the North Central Region, Civil Air Patrol.

Roger's hobbies and interests included hunting, shooting, boating, ancestry, and a passion for all things motorized.  In his early years in the U.S. he enjoyed racing boats and sports cars.  Later his real passion became flying, and he became a proficient glider and power pilot.  In the CAP he used his piloting talents as a mission pilot, flight instructor and check pilot. Although he loved all aspects of flying and the mission of the CAP, Roger was especially drawn to soaring and he led and participated in many glider academies in Minnesota, teaching and mentoring many students in their flying endeavors.

Roger is preceded in death by parents, Knut and Karin Brogren (Gothenberg, Sweden); and sister, Carita (Grahn). Roger is survived by his loving wife, Kim; children: Nicholas (Erin), grandson: Harry, niece Erika Eek (Daniel), nephew Fredrick Grahn (Anneli), grand nephews and nieces, and Kim's children, Gina, Andrea, and Nick.

A celebration of Roger's life will be Thursday, March 11, 2021, 6:30 P.M. at BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER, 2800 Curve Crest Boulevard, Stillwater.