I lost my Dad last week after a long illness. Our whole family will miss him greatly. I Love You Dad.
Merrill Judean Rovang passed away peacefully with his wife Emma by his side on December 9, 2016 after a long illness. He was 82 years old.
Merrill was born on October 31, 1934 in Albert Lee Minnesota to Joice and Maurene Rovang.
He is survived in death by his loving wife Emma Rovang, of Tigard Oregon, and two children Jim Rovang of Anacortes Washington, and Joy Black, of Beaverton Oregon, and his grandchildren: Ethan, Avery, and Olivia Black.
Merrill graduated from St. Olaf College in North Field Minnesota with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. He then entered the United States Air Force as an officer. While in the Air Force he served in Europe during the height of the Cold War. He left Active duty as a Second Lieutenant and entered the Reserves where he served another 7 years, he was Honorably Discharged from the reserves with the rank of Captain.
In 1962 he met Emma Rogers who also was the first in her family to graduate from college, and had the same love of flying. She worked as a flight attendant for Eastern Airlines at the time. They married on December 1st in Florida and settled in Minneapolis Minnesota where they started a family. In 2012, Merrill and Emma celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. At the time of Merrill’s passing they had been married for 54 years. They had two children: Jim born in 1966 and Joy born in 1970.
Merrill started work with the Northern Pacific Railroad in the real estate division. He would continue on in commercial real estate for his career, working at Northwestern Mutual Life, Amfac, Beottcher Mortgage, and General Electric. In the 1990’s he left General Electric to continue on in commercial real estate on his own from his office in Wilsonville Oregon. During his time of self-employment, he focused on helping small business and start-ups. He took great pleasure in helping fellow entrepreneurs.
After moving from Minnesota they lived for a few years in Sothern California where Merrill worked for Amfac Mortgage. In 1976 they were moved by Amfac to Portland, Oregon. They built a house in Lake Oswego Oregon, where they lived for many years, then later moved to the Westlake Neighborhood.
As well as being a Veteran, successful business man and commercial property owner, Merrill was a loving husband and Father who many in the community looked to for support and advice. Merrill was afflicted with Parkinson’s disease for over 20 years. Where most would have considered this a great tragedy, Merrill actually inspired many people with his courage and positive spirit. He was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church.
A remembrance service will be held for Merrill at the Community of Hope Lutheran Church on January 7th 2017 at 11:00 AM with a catered luncheon to follow. You are invited to join the family in celebrating his life at Community of Hope, 27817 SW Stafford Rd. Wilsonville OR. 97070
Charitable donations on Merrill’s behalf can be made to: Community of Faith, 1889 Willamette Falls Dr. West Linn OR. 97068
