Roger Kramer
Roger H. Kramer, 79, of San Antonio, Texas passed away peacefully on May 13, 2024. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, educator, and a proud veteran of the United States Air Force. Roger was born on March 30, 1945 in New York, NY and lived a remarkable life dedicated to service, education and his family. After graduating from Christopher Columbus High School at 16 he attended Rochester Institute of Technology earning a degree in Chemistry/Physics. He then went to work for Calumet Scientific Inc. where in 1965 he met the love of his life Mary Anne Freudendorf.
In 1967 they married and he enlisted in the Air Force, where he served with honor and distinction for twenty years. He flew 829 combat missions, over 1300 hours logged in several aircraft types. Overseas duty included time in South East Asia, Korea, South and Central America and the Middle East. Served tours of duty as a Flight Commander, Squadron Operations Officer and Commander, Major Command Air Staff, and Department of Defense Staff Officer. His commitment to duty and country earned him numerous awards and decorations, with assignments in San Antonio; San Bernardino, California; Belleville, Illinois; Las Vegas, Nevada, and back to San Antonio where he retired in 1987.
His next adventure was a second career in the field of education. He went back to school at the University of Texas San Antonio earning a teaching degree in secondary Social Studies and Physical Science, then a MA in Educational Leadership/Curriculum Development. For the next sixteen years he worked in Harlandale ISD, where he was a science teacher and Science Department Chairman at McCollum High School, the district’s K-12 Science & Health Coordinator, Harlandale High School’s Vice Principal/Academic Dean, principal of the Summer Science Academy, and principal of the Secondary Alternative School. At this time he also taught Intro to Physical Science and Chemistry at Our Lady of the Lake University as an adjunct faculty member. T
hen he spent the next five years as a science teacher and co-chair of the science department at TMI – The Episcopal School of Texas. In retirement he became a docent at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center sharing his love of nature with countless elementary students on their field trips. As a father and husband Roger was a guiding light, offering unwavering support and unconditional love to his children. Fondly known as Poppa to his grandchildren, he loved spending time with them and watching them in their various activities. They will remember his stories and his ability to turn everything into a teachable moment. Roger was known for his love of photography, model trains, classical music and traveling the world with Mary Anne after they both retired.
He delighted in telling stories of his youth in New York and days in the Air Force. He enjoyed lively discussions of politics, history, and current events with friends and even strangers. In addition to his parents, Janet and Paul Kramer, Roger was predeceased by his wife, Mary Anne Freudendorf Kramer. He is survived by his loving children, Lara Pagel of San Antonio, TX; Alan Kramer, wife Angela, of San Antonio, TX. Also left to cherish his memory are his beloved grandchildren, Jenna Pagel, Kyle Pagel, Warren Kramer and Lauren Kramer; brother Fred Kramer of New York; sister-in-law Edith Smith of Florida and Carol Giusto of Virginia; plus numerous nieces and nephews.
The loss of Roger Kramer leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew him, but his memory will live on through the stories he shared and the photographs he took. May he rest in peace, surrounded by the love of those who held him dear. Roger will receive full military honors and will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the San Antonio Feral Cat Coalition https://sanantonioferalcats.org/ or the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center https://mitchelllake.audubon.org
The date and time for funeral services are still pending.