Mr Roger David Spenger

Family and friends are invited to attend the scheduled services honoring Mr. Spenger. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 14th, 2021 beginning at 11:00am at Wilson & Kratzer- Chapel of the Mission Bells located on 13644 San Pablo Ave., San Pablo, Ca. Burial is to follow at Rolling Hills Memorial Park.

Roger was born in Oakland, California on July 11th, 1953 to Vivian Porter and Herman Spenger. He was the middle child of 7 siblings, and grew to be the tallest out of all of them. In his youth, he worked as a paperboy, and at his name sake, Spenger’s Fish Grotto, and at the Red Vest. Later, he worked at La Val’s Pizza, where he was a part owner alongside his late wife Debbie Spenger, and his late brother-in-law Dan Fogerty. Roger and Debbie fought to keep their business going until 2011, when Debbie died unexpectedly. Roger vowed on her death bed to take care of his children. It was hard for him at first, but he fought to improve his own health, and helped ease many of his children’s worries. When his daughter Elizabeth was working on her master’s, he bought her textbooks, brought her mail, and helped with all the little things to make her life easier, all while offering general encouragement. He always wanted his kids to make it through school so they could have a better life. 

Roger was a huge fan of Disney, and in particular Walt Disney, who in his childhood he looked to as somewhat of a father figure. He and his wife brought the kids to Disneyland for rides, food and fun throughout their formative years. Those years were turbulent, as Roger and Debbie had to work many hours without days off to pay the bills. Disneyland served as a sanctuary place for Roger, to get away from all the hardships of living daily life, if only for a weekend. 

Roger loved classic cars, and his Pinterest was full of different station wagons, sports cars, buggies and more. He loved watching old movies, and thought the stories and dialogue were far more robust than newer films. While he only had a little college under his belt, he was encyclopedic in many areas, from history to finance, politics, and the Spenger family genealogy. When it came to politics, Roger described himself as a “news hound” and would follow all of the stories and political changes of the day closely. He saw voting as a very important civic responsibility, and always encouraged his children to do so. 

Roger was a caring father, brother, uncle, a loving friend, and someone you could count on in a pinch. He will be greatly missed by his children, family, his dominoes buddies at the White Horse, as well as all those whose lives he touched.

In Appreciation

We would like to thank our friends, family, neighbors, and everyone in our lives who have helped us through this difficult time. Frankly, losing our father has been awful, but all the love and support has helped a lot. Please cry for him, laugh for him, but most importantly, love his memory.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr Roger David Spenger, please visit our floral store.