Roger D Wilhelm

Roger Dean Wilhelm

March 25, 1940 to February 4, 2023

Roger Dean Wilhelm, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, Uncle, Brother-in-law and friend, passed away peacefully the morning of Saturday, February 4, 2023 at his Huntington Beach home surrounded by family.

Roger was born on March 25,1940 in Johnsonburg, PA, the youngest child of Theodore and Virginia Wilhelm.  He spent his childhood working at his Dad’s Garage, (Wilmann Pontiac), with his brother and Dad, playing football and then graduating from Johnsonburg High School in 1958.

While attending the University of Buffalo, he met the love of his life, Lynne, and began his career at ACME Markets as a stockboy, moving through the ranks to store manager, regional manager, VP of Sales and Marketing and finally President of Alpha Beta stores - truly living an American dream!  After a 38 year career with American Stores that took him from East Coast to West with a few stops along the way, Rog retired at 58 to Huntington Beach – trading out his business suits for board shorts, T-shirts and flip flops.

He and Lynne shared a love for travel, spending their years of retirement seeing parts of the world most dream of, however their most treasured spots were Chautauqua Lake, Huntington Beach and their condo in Maui.

He made friends with everyone he encountered, from the mail carrier to the bartender to the guy at the car dealership.  Breakfast was his favorite meal, Bailey’s was his night cap, he loved to tease his grandkids, putter around in the garden and watch football at the Longboard.

Roger was blessed with a large and loving family – his first priority and biggest source of joy. Rog is survived and adored by his wife of 61 years, Lynne, children Lynne (Paul), Melanie (Mike) and Mark (Melinda), nine grandchildren, Kylie (Dan), Steve, Allee (Kevin), Liz, Jalyn, Maddi (Reed), RJ, Logan and Colton and six great grandchildren, Anistyn (5), Michael (4), Emery (4), Lennon (2), Reagan (1), and Rezzy (10 mos), extended family of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and his sister-in-law, Patricia Wilhelm.  Preceding him in death are his parents, Theodore Henry Wilhelm and Virginia Mann Wilhelm, his brother Theodore Wilhelm, sister Marlene and brother-in-law Bill.

Roger was an amazing husband and father, a wise and compassionate advisor to many of us, and had a laugh and sense of humor that raised the lowest of spirits. His spirit will live on through the many lives he has touched and hearts of those who will always hold him dear. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to:

The Magee-Women’s Research Institute & Foundation in support the work of Dr. Stephen Emery, who has made such an impact on the Wilhelm family through their work with Roger’s great granddaughter Emery Greene Mullen:

On line:  https://mageewomens.org/support 

Mail:     Magee Women’s Research Institute & Foundation       

3240 Craft Place, Suite 100,
Pittsburgh, PA 15213 
Please include a note indicating that the gift is being made in Roger Wilhelm’s memory.