Residents of Monroe County and the surrounding area were taken aback as word spread early this week about the passing of a well-regarded and widely known local man who had a pronounced zeal for life.

Roger Strong, 64, of Waterloo, was pronounced deceased at the scene of a motorcycle crash Sunday night in Randolph County.

Shortly before 8:15 p.m., the Red Bud Fire Department responded along with police and EMS personnel to the 5300 block of East Mill Road just east of 1st Road in Ruma following a crash involving a motorcycle which resulted in the driver found unresponsive in a field.

Per a press release issued by Randolph County Coroner Tracy Vallett early Monday afternoon, Strong was pronounced dead on scene a short time later. 

“The death is being investigated by the Randolph County Coroner’s Office and the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office,” the coroner’s press release states.

The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office crash report indicates Strong was driving a 2008 Harley-Davidson eastbound on Mill Road approximately two-tenths of a mile east of 1st Road when it left the roadway and entered the ditch to the north and continuing several feet before coming to rest.

The news of Strong’s passing was particularly jarring as Strong had recently hosted his annual “barn party” at a restored building on his late father-in-law’s property in rural Waterloo.

According to Strong’s  obituary, the restoration project was somewhat of a tribute and celebration of his late wife Kimberly (nee Baxmeyer), who passed away nine years ago at the age of 53 following a battle with cancer.

“That space became a tribute not just to (Kimberly), but to Roger’s resilience and his ability to turn hard things into something meaningful,” Strong’s obituary reads. 

There were several memories shared specifically about the barn after Strong’s passing was announced. 

“I will never forget the fun we had at the barn parties,” Randolph County Cowboy Church Senior Pastor Nick Schmidt posted Monday on Facebook. “The last time we saw him, at our engagement party… all he would say was how cute (Schmidt’s fiancee) Rylee was. All I could reply with was ‘I know I am a lucky man.’ Well tonight, I am reminded that I am a lucky man to have your memories ingrained in my heart.”

Similar outpourings of sympathy for surviving relatives and grief from those who knew Strong quickly began to flood social media sites.

Former Operating Engineers Local 520 Business Manager Ron Kaempfe posted, “Roger was a great father, great at being (a) grandfather, great project manager, great superintendent, great operating engineer and a great friend. He will be deeply missed. My sincere sympathies to the family.”

Strong was a member of Local 520 Operating Engineers for 41 years with Baxmeyer Construction, retiring in 2023.

While known for his reliability and work ethic, Strong was “fiercely independent,” according to his obituary, with online posts also describing him as unique, caring and loyal.

“I was fortunate enough to become friends with him because of our work, and the quality of the person he was was second to none,” RUDD Equipment sales representative Will Gmerek posted on Quernheim Funeral Home’s Facebook page. “He treated me like he would treat someone from his own family, thus making you feel like you were family. The world lost an awesome person way too soon, and it’s a shame! If you knew Roger Strong, or were lucky enough to be friends with him, you’re a better person because of it.”

Strong was also a motorcycle enthusiast and the proud owner of a Harley-Davidson and several “dirt bikes,” competing in a variety of off-road, cross-country “enduro” motorcycle competitions.

Strong was also member of the “Numa Community,” referring to his frequent morning workout sessions at Numa Fitness in Waterloo.

“I have only known Roger for about a year; we met at Numa Fitness,” Bryan Kendall posted on Facebook. “He will be very much missed in the Numa Community and by anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

The most frequent comments reflected Strong’s dedication to his family – as a husband, father, “Paw Paw” and friend.

His obituary states Strong was “man who made life better just by being in the room. He lived the kind of life most people only dream about — fast, fearless and full of the good stuff that really matters. His memory will live on in every ride and every wide-open throttle.”

A visitation for Strong takes place this Friday, May 23, from 4-8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo and 9-10 a.m. May 24 at HOPE Christian Church in Columbia.

A funeral service follows visitation May 24 at the church. 

Read Roger’s obituary by clicking here.