Rodger O. Lindwall

Rodger O. Lindwall

July 23, 1934 – December 2, 2018

Rodger O. Lindwall, age 84, passed away on December 2, 2018.

Rodger was a life-long Omaha resident, stoic Swede, talented athlete, avid sports fan, and true gentleman. He spent most of his life building businesses and leading by example, and passed his strong work ethic on to his children. He especially loved family gatherings with his grandchildren, who have many memories of eating Swedish meatballs and pancakes together. A steadfast friend, he was a quiet presence who never had a harsh word for anyone.

Rodger was born on July 23, 1934 to Elsa and Einer Lindwall. In 1952 he graduated from Benson High School, where he was an All-State football player and multi-sport athlete, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, and Lieutenant Colonel of the ROTC. He earned a full scholarship to play football at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he lettered, continued in ROTC, and was deeply involved with the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He graduated in 1956 and married his high school sweetheart, Sandra Speicher, in 1957. In their early married years, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Fort Riley, Kansas and worked for the Addressograph Multigraph Corporation. He was called up again as a reservist during the Korean Crisis. From 1962 until his retirement, Rodger was involved in the construction, sale and appraisal of residential and commercial real estate properties, with his father and brothers at Lindwall Real Estate and Construction Company, and also mid-career at Lindwall Merker Real Estate. He served as President of the Omaha Area Board of Realtors in 1973. His entrepreneurial spirit was evident in the other businesses he co-owned: The Tropics Bar and Grill, Tropics West, Racquetball of Omaha, and Elkhorn Racquet Club.

Rodger’s family was the great passion of his life. He adored his wife, his children, their spouses, and his grandchildren. He is survived by Sandy, his wife of 61 years; daughter Sally and husband Anders Knutzen of Saint Paul, MN; son Rodger and wife Luci Lindwall of Wichita, KS; son Joseph and wife Kristine Lindwall of Denver, CO; and daughter Kristin Shassetz of Denver, CO. He leaves eight special grandchildren: Kristin, Alexandra, Sarah, Joseph, Annika, Ryan, Kate, and Jack. He is also survived by brother-in-law Peter Bergsten of Fort Meyers, FL, sister-in-law Muriel Lindwall of Omaha, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers C.O. Rodney Lindwall and Robert E. Lindwall.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE is planned for Friday, December 21st at 11:00 a.m. at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific Street in Omaha, with a one-hour visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to the Rodger O. Lindwall Scholarship Fund at the University of Colorado, Boulder (see details below) or to your charity of choice.

The family would also like to convey a special thanks to the Thomas McGowan family, Dick and Martha Anderson, and many other dear friends, to the caregivers at Comfort Care Homes, Compassionate Memory Care, and Aksarben Senior Living, and to Matt Woodbury.

Memorial gifts to the scholarship fund are payable to the University of Colorado Foundation. It is essential to include “In Memory of Rodger Lindwall 0123999” on the memo line of the check. Please send gifts to The Leeds School of Business, c/o Kerry Masock, 419 UCB, 995 Regent Drive, Boulder, CO 80309.

 

7 Comments

  • Barbara Sullivan Van Houtte Posted December 4, 2018 6:22 am

    My deepest sympathy to the Linwall family as you remember your great husband, father, grandfather. Prayers, love, and peace to you all.

  • Monica Lindh Posted December 4, 2018 11:35 am

    Our cusine in America has past away. I have photos from hos visit to Sweden. Sorry for you loss

  • Christina Enwall Posted December 4, 2018 2:37 pm

    Sorry to hear that our cusine Rodger past away. Sending love and peace!

  • Tom Backer Posted December 5, 2018 8:23 am

    Dear Lindwall Family, Rodger was such a giving man whose twinkle in the eye, ready smile, intelligence and easy going nature made him fun to be with all throughout my life. His combination of toughness and tenderness – and his deep love for his family – are rare traits in this world. I know I can speak for all the Backers (including our beloved parents who will greet him with open arms) that we are better people and have had more joy in life because of your beloved Rodger. Sandy, Sally, Rodger, Joe and Kristin and your beautiful spouses and children — I pray for your peace and comfort as you mourn and celebrate this wonderful man and the legacy he leaves.

  • Jancy Campbell Posted December 6, 2018 9:15 am

    So sad. To Sandy, a friend since early childhood, and the Lindwall family,
    My thoughts and prayers are with you all. You are a wonderful family, and Rodger’s probably best legacy is all of you. Rodger was loved. I treasure knowing most of you. Rodger and Sandy I will always hold close in my heart. Jancy Campbell

  • Rick Coder Posted December 6, 2018 3:01 pm

    Rodger was a fellow appraiser, he and I worked together for Douglas County during the summer for many years. We often lunched together, both in and out of BOE time. Rodger was always a kind and delightful man to be around I enjoyed his company and friendship very much and will miss him. He was also a darn good appraiser.

  • Suzie and Dick Ahlstrand Posted December 10, 2018 5:43 am

    Rodger was such a good friend of brother Bob Falk. They kept their Swedish heritage alive. So sorry to hear of his passing. He was a man of good character and strong values – someone to look up to. We send our deepest sympathies to Sandy and family.

Sign Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *