Roger V. Chastain

Roger V. Chastain, Jr. passed away on May 16, 2023, after battling Alzheimer’s for seven years. Roger was born in Portsmouth, Virginia and was the son of Dr. Roger and Velda Chastain. He was 84 years old and was a resident of Fishers, Indiana. Roger is survived by his beloved and love of his life Shari; they were married for sixty-one years. Roger is survived by his brother Kent Chastain and sister Cathy Frere. Roger is the father of Cristin Gower (David) and Roger “Fox” Chastain, III (Melanie) and was known as “Gramps” to Lauren, Grace, Elle, Will, Bree and Matthew.

Roger was a natural teacher for his entire life as a father, grandfather, and educator. Roger graduated from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and received a PhD. from the University of Washington. Following graduate school, he became a professor of chemistry at West Virginia University and then received a commission in the United States Army. Roger retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of service and had a long-lasting rivalry with Kent, who was a naval aviator. GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY! After his military career, Roger became an instructor at the School of Horology in Columbia, Pennsylvania where he taught students how to make and repair clocks.

Roger was a principled man and had many interests, including amateur radio operator, mountaineering, solving algorithms (for fun) with his friend John, and studying the Bible. Roger was a Mason for 50 years and received his 32nd degree. In an addition to being a Mason, he was Shiner. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time at the family cabin in West Virginia, planning hikes with his grandchildren and making the best bean soup. He was always up for making and drinking red-eyes with Fox and also enjoyed practicing calligraphy with Cristin.

A memorial service for Roger will be at the Crossroads Community Church in Fishers, Indiana at 10AM, on Monday, May 22, 2023. In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Alzheimer’s Association at Make A Donation | Alzheimer's Association