Roger Albert Gregorich

Roger Albert Gregorich passed away February 28, 2024 at the age of 80 after a long illness.

Roger was born to Elsie & Albert Gregorich on August 21, 1943 in Yakima, WA. The Gregoriches lived on a farm in the Naches area and he loved his time with his brother Geoff, sisters Barbara, Jennifer, and Janie, and cousins. He attended Central Catholic High School where he was a standout athlete and enjoyed football, basketball, and baseball. Roger was a talented singer and was selected to be on the All-State Honors Choir. He performed throughout his years in plays, weddings, and other community events. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, hunting, and fishing.

The first in his family to attend college, Roger initially enrolled at Gonzaga University on a music scholarship before enrolling in Yakima Valley CC and then transferring to the University of Washington where he completed his Bachelor’s degree in 1968. Roger enlisted in ROTC while in college. He loved politics and history and talking with people. He loved playing any game.

Roger married his teenage love, Vicki Rynd, in 1966. They then moved to Kentucky for basic training. He was assigned to Ft. Bliss in El Paso, TX. during the Vietnam era, a war he was vehemently opposed to. However, he did enjoy his time in the military. As an officer, he trained enlisted men and earned ‘Best Company on Post’ award for his work. During this time, Vicki and Roger welcomed their first son, Jonathan Scott (1969), and their first daughter, Lara (1970).

After their time of service, Roger, Vicki, and family moved to Everett while Roger finished his teaching degree at Western Washington. Next, they moved to Chehalis where he worked for the Greenhill Correctional Facility as a Community Integration Coordinator. He was named ‘Chehalis’s Outstanding Citizen’ of 1973. He was then recruited to work for Governor Dan Evans to direct programs around the state.

In 1975, they moved to Kennewick where he began teaching for the school district. He helped to start the CE2 alternative program for Juniors and Seniors in High School. Later, he transferred to Kennewick High School to teach History and AP US History and in 1985 received the honor of Washington State Teacher of the Year. During this time, his son Chris (1977) and daughter Brooklynn (1980) were born in Kennewick. He loved coaching, including football and tennis, as well as many recreational teams for his children. His tennis team won the league title and won the state tournament in girls doubles.

In 1987, Roger moved to Seattle and began a career in real estate. He was proud of his time with Windermere Real Estate and was chosen as a top realtor of the area in Seattle Magazine. Throughout the years, Roger loved Seattle area sports, especially Husky football and he shared this passion with Vicki, his children, and grandchildren.

Roger was really proud of his family and was involved with their activities. In his later life, he loved watching his grandchildren grow and was surrounded by all his children and grandchildren. Roger is survived by his former wife Vicki Rynd, his four children, Scott (Angela), Lara Bennett-Gregorich (David), Chris (Sejal), and Brooklynn Lowe (Josue), and 13 grandchildren (Koreen & Dominik Bennett; Kiana, Owen, Jack, Luke, & Gabriel Gregorich; Lilian

andMax Gregorich & Anara Gregorich Parikh; and Jonah, Lydia, & Isaac Lowe ), and great-grandson Wesley Brockman. Roger is survived by his brother Geoff (Lynn), sisters Jane (Steve) and Jennifer, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral Mass is planned for Saturday, March 16th at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Yakima, WA at 10:00 am with a reception to follow.

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Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

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