04.12.46 – 01.12.23
Quite the charmer, Roger was an extroverted intellectual who loved a good debate, preferably over a glass of red wine or two!
Roger described himself as “a cat in the sunshine.” He joked that he was fundamentally lazy but he was widely read and over his lifetime he worked hard forging not one, but two careers with degrees in both civil engineering and law.
Roger’s interests were wide-ranging; from opera to the blues, from Vietnamese cuisine in Richmond to African in Footscray… Roger loved immersing himself in new parts of the city and discovering people’s stories.
Roger’s son Tristan, his daughter Imogen and son-in-law Nick, and his sister Margy and her partner Lawrence invite you to share in a celebration of his life.
Roger specified that he would prefer no flowers at his funeral or memorial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Dementia Australia (or another worthy cause of your choice) in memory of Roger.
Roger’s Memorial Service
Date & Time:
A wonderful memorial event was held on Monday 18th December, 2023
Location:
Brücke, Glasshaus – 368 Bridge Road, Richmond, Victoria
The venue is opposite one of Roger’s favourite old pubs, the Spread Eagle Hotel
Notes:
Please share your messages & memories of Roger in the guestbook below
Missing you a lot my dear friend. Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt and Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison doesn’t sound the same without you singing along. I miss singing along to your favourite songs and the way you were always so gentle and caring of my cat Sadie you would whistle to. I miss how we would dance during happy hour and how you would try teach me the steps even though I’m incredibly un-coordinated. I miss sitting out in the garden with you, talking about life and things that were either troubling us, or making us happy. I miss my hugs in the morning as I arrive into the unit to do activities. I miss reading the newspaper, or getting a coffee with you.
Thank you for being such a good friend, I’ll never forget you.
Lots of love Lauren and Sadie. Xx
Vale old friend. You were a great mentor and friend to me at University and throughout my career. We were mates and I’ll miss that. My sincere condolences to your wonderful family and everyone else who loved you too.
Dear Imogen, Nick, Tristan and Margy,
Thank you for a memorable farewell to dear Rog at Glasshaus Brucke yesterday.
Will miss my dear friend of 40 years.
Love, Penny
Dear Imogen, Nick, Iris, Josie and family
Our thoughts are with you as you farewell and celebrate Roger. No doubt a huge void. Much love, Amy
It is difficult for me to express my feelings in words at this moment. I am very pleasure to have spent the last 13 years with Roger in his life. I am glad to sew his humor and positive outlook on life, we went to travel, skiing together, and experience life together. that’s all will be stored in my memory. Roger will remain in my mind forever.
Whenever I think of Roger, a smile creases my face. That cheeky smile and impish glint in his eye; are fondly remembered. A man of charm, intelligence and humour; he was always great company. Roger you had a love of live that was inspiring. You will be deeply missed here; but no doubt, your spirit rides on.
Friend, thanks for your welcoming cheerful spirit and the wonderful memories. Rest easy.
Deepest condolences to family and friends.
Ciaran Crehan.
Condolences to Imogen, Tristan and the rest of the family. Roger has been our dear friend, mate, shoulder to lean on, sensible advisor and buddy since Melbourne Uni law days. He was always there and is terribly missed. Jenny
Deepest condolences on the loss of your wonderful father. Xxx
During WWII, the Allies used “Roger” to signify R in their phonetic alphabet. And most notably, Roger stood in for message Received, and Roger Wilco meant “Received and will comply”. Like all who knew him, I received many messages from Roger. He had a fondness for debate and didn’t suffer fools who couldn’t use facts to create a clear or entertaining story. One story he told me was that all too many of the combatants he had to adjudicate at VCAT made him suffer. Without lawyers, they struggled to express themselves beyond repeating the phrase “He done me wrong!”. If there is an afterlife then I’m sure that Roger will be negotiating a better deal for those he knows in long cogent sentences. I can only imagine those in charge replying “Roger Wilco”.
Thank you for sharing part of your journey with me and us at UA Kingsville. It was such a pleasure looking after you and get to know you as a person. We will miss you here and we know your humour, the memory we shared and the stories will be remained with us forever.
Can’t comprehend how the fellow Monash student I met in about 1966, who lived in Lum Road down the road from the Carroll and Troedel families, has gone. Ian Carroll , my spouse at the time, and I loved hanging out in the Young household as it was so friendly and the dinner conversations were so wide ranging. We both kept in touch with Roger over the years. Although Roger was madly talented, he never took himself too seriously which was part of his easy going charm. A much loved and respected Renaissance type man. My condolences to Judy, Tristan and Imogen and families.
Rog’ introduced me to skiing and old land rovers – still undecided if I’m grateful or upset on the latter…
Vale Roger. Rest in peace.
A true one of a kind, Roger was one of a kind – so full of passion, curiosity, kindness and lust for life. I’ll always remember him in one of many watering holes discoursing and laughing with one and all… and also on Sunday afternoons listening to opera on the radio, turned up full bore, with a good bottle of red. So glad to have known him. Sending condolences and love to all the family.
What a cheeky, ebullient, irreverent, youthful mind. Such a warm, joyous, cuddle of a man. When I think of Roger he always brings a smile to my face.
So many happy memories of Thredbo with Roger and Max. Your Dad always spoke of you with so much love – he was so proud of both of you. Thinking of you at this sad time.
Condolences on your loss. Although Roger’s illness seemed to progress horribly quickly, my impression was that he was spared significant suffering. He was wonderfully supported by yourselves and close friends. He leaves behind many happy and colourful memories.
Roger was an absolute favourite and we loved him and the whole Young family. His brilliant mind and wicked sense of humour will be greatly missed. Have so many amazing memories of Thredbo and Lum Rd – he was so generous with his time and spirit.
Roger was so full of life and fun and always kept us laughing.
What a beautiful man he was, and so generous and fun when I got to know him.
We are so sad for your loss. After 60 years of friendship and so many happy memories of wonderful times together it is hard to believe Rog is no longer with us and we will miss him so much too.
Rest in peace old mate.
Our love and condolences. Best man at our wedding. I spent my youth in the Young household. So many laughs and shared experiences. What a brain, what a rascal! Very hard to come to terms with his death.
Imogen, Tristan, Woody and the Youngs – you were all quite magnificent caring for, and keeping Roger in form and wonderfully close to his grandchildren in particular. Everyone will miss his eyes twinkling and his good conversation. Hail to him…
Roger was a larger than life character whose intellect and irreverence made our skiing and fishing trips so memorable.Farewell old friend.
We were very sad to hear the news of Roger’s passing. It seems like the end of an era, Roger being the loved, big personality that he was. He held close to his family and friends and he will be much missed. Roger loved nothing better than to gather together at the table for a meal and good conversation. Vale Roger.
Our sincere condolences. We have long and fond memories of Roger, a most generous and caring friend we have known since we first arrived in Melbourne.
He will always be in our thought and heart.
I’m so sorry to hear about your dear dad. He was always fun and funny. He always had time for us girls. I am thinking of you and Tris and your whole family. Your girls are going to miss their grandpa.
Roger was so special to us all – he made us laugh and inspired us to reach for the stars as teenagers and young adults. He was so generous with his time and advice and hospitality. I have so many memories of having Thai with him in Richmond when we were starving uni students. May he rest in peace. Xxx
Roger was such a cool dad and always so lovely to us. Thinking of you and your family.
Sending much love and hugs to you and the family in remembrance of your gorgeous witty father.
Sending my deepest sympathies. I was so fond of your Dad and always enjoyed his company. Love to all the Youngs.
Thinking of Roger and the wonderful man he was.
Dear Roger I have fond memories of you until the end. I took you out for many lunches when you were in the nursing home. We had wonderful times over 30 years when Imogen and Tristen were teenagers. I will keep those memories in my heart. Rest in peace love iona
Imogen, Tristan, Margy and the whole family, sending our condolences at this very sad time. We hope to help you celebrate Roger’s life in a very personal and fitting way. Kate, Bec & the team at Tomorrow Funerals