This is being written by Sue Jones Pelton - Class of 1960 I thought you all might be interested in what became of Roger after Graduation. Rog went to the university of Colorado in Boulder and earned first a BS degree in Geology, followed by another two years with a teaching fellowship and earned a Masters in Climatology and Cartography. In 1964 he married Sue Jones (class of 1960) and they moved to Boulder while he finished his last year of Grad. School. He then served the mandatory service of that time by being commissioned by the USAF to go to flight training and eventually , after moves to Oklahoma, Arizona, California and Florida - deployed with the 4th TAC Fighter Squadron to Viet Nam. He flew F-4Ds and loved every minute of it. In 1968 our son Nathen Henry Stearns was born, and 5 months later Roger deployed. A week before Nathan's 1st birthday, Roger, who chose to be the first in after the FAC (Forward Air Controller) to mark targets - was shot down and listed as MIA. A year later that status was terminated and he was listed as Killed in Action. His remains stayed put until, ironically, a week before our son Nathan graduated from Brown. Because his mission was in Laos (which was strictly classified at the time) no unearthing of remains was possible until 1990. It was dertermined that both he and his co-pilot had in fact perished and his remains are now in Arlington National Cemetery. Before going to Viet Nam Roger had applied for and been accepted to teach at the AF Academy upon his return from Viet Nam. We had a wonderful time together traveling around the country skiing, rock climbing, rallying in our sports car, exploring the USA. He had a lot of energy, was fearless and loved the rush of adrenaline he got in dangerous situations. His son Nate is now married and has three children and lives in Winnetka, IL. Nate's first son reminds me of Roger - fearless and full of daring and energy. I adore him ! Sue
Dear Sue, Thank you so much for posting this bio of Roger. I knew he had been killed in Viet Nam but never knew that you were married to him or that he had a son. He seems to have accomplished so much in his young years. I was a nurse during the war, applied for air evacuation status but fell in love and was married and pregnant before they accepted my app.
I was so sorry to hear of Lori Durocher's death. Kay Yoxtheimer emailed me when she read my page on our website this month. I had no idea that she had passed. She and Larry had such a wonderful love story.
Perhaps I'll run into you at our reunion, it's my classes 50th so I am coming. Otherwise, I live in Rancho Mirage, CA, near Palm Springs. Two beautiful children and 5 grandchildren.
Many times I have visited the VietNam Memorial and every time I take a chalk copy of his name as he was some one very special to me and my mother. He will never be forgotten. To me he was a very special friend. Thank you, Charlie Carey.
It has been a number of years ago now, but I, too, visited the Viet Nam Memorial looking for the names of friends I served with while at Fort Campbell, KY. I found Jim Kelly's name but failed to find Roger Stearns' name and Fred Jones' name. At the time, neither name, according to those at the information desk, was listed as their were MIA. I am pleased to see Roger now honored today on our Memorial. I was proud to join many Viet Nam vets on St. Patrick's Day 2009 to show our support of our troops fighting for this country throughout the world. There were there in the thousands and well represented. Howard
Thank you for posting this Sue. I heard that he had died in Nam but never knew what happened. I also didn't know about his accomplishments. It reminded me of the evening we spent when he was in pilot training in Enid. Gene
Susan Jones (Pelton)
This is being written by Sue Jones Pelton - Class of 1960I thought you all might be interested in what became of Roger after Graduation. Rog went to the university of Colorado in Boulder and earned first a BS degree in Geology, followed by another two years with a teaching fellowship and earned a Masters in Climatology and Cartography. In 1964 he married Sue Jones (class of 1960) and they moved to Boulder while he finished his last year of Grad. School. He then served the mandatory service of that time by being commissioned by the USAF to go to flight training and eventually , after moves to Oklahoma, Arizona, California and Florida - deployed with the 4th TAC Fighter Squadron to Viet Nam. He flew F-4Ds and loved every minute of it. In 1968 our son Nathen Henry Stearns was born, and 5 months later Roger deployed. A week before Nathan's 1st birthday, Roger, who chose to be the first in after the FAC (Forward Air Controller) to mark targets - was shot down and listed as MIA. A year later that status was terminated and he was listed as Killed in Action. His remains stayed put until, ironically, a week before our son Nathan graduated from Brown. Because his mission was in Laos (which was strictly classified at the time) no unearthing of remains was possible until 1990. It was dertermined that both he and his co-pilot had in fact perished and his remains are now in Arlington National Cemetery. Before going to Viet Nam Roger had applied for and been accepted to teach at the AF Academy upon his return from Viet Nam. We had a wonderful time together traveling around the country skiing, rock climbing, rallying in our sports car, exploring the USA. He had a lot of energy, was fearless and loved the rush of adrenaline he got in dangerous situations. His son Nate is now married and has three children and lives in Winnetka, IL. Nate's first son reminds me of Roger - fearless and full of daring and energy. I adore him ! Sue
Margaret (Maggie) Breason (Lockridge)
Dear Sue,Thank you so much for posting this bio of Roger. I knew he had been killed in Viet Nam but never knew that you were married to him or that he had a son. He seems to have accomplished so much in his young years. I was a nurse during the war, applied for air evacuation status but fell in love and was married and pregnant before they accepted my app.
I was so sorry to hear of Lori Durocher's death. Kay Yoxtheimer emailed me when she read my page on our website this month. I had no idea that she had passed. She and Larry had such a wonderful love story.
Perhaps I'll run into you at our reunion, it's my classes 50th so I am coming. Otherwise, I live in Rancho Mirage, CA, near Palm Springs. Two beautiful children and 5 grandchildren.
Best wishes,
Maggie Lockridge
alias Peggy Breason
Charles Carey
Many times I have visited the VietNam Memorial and every time I take a chalk copy of his name as he was some one very special to me and my mother. He will never be forgotten.To me he was a very special friend. Thank you, Charlie Carey.
Howard Baldwin
It has been a number of years ago now, but I, too, visited the Viet Nam Memorial looking for the names of friends I served with while at Fort Campbell, KY. I found Jim Kelly's name but failed to find Roger Stearns' name and Fred Jones' name. At the time, neither name, according to those at the information desk, was listed as their were MIA. I am pleased to see Roger now honored today on our Memorial.I was proud to join many Viet Nam vets on St. Patrick's Day 2009 to show our support of our troops fighting for this country throughout the world. There were there in the thousands and well represented.
Howard
Eugene Rolfe
Thank you for posting this Sue. I heard that he had died in Nam but never knew what happened. I also didn't know about his accomplishments. It reminded me of the evening we spent when he was in pilot training in Enid. Gene