Roger received his Bachelor of Science degree at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona in 1961, his Master of Science degree at New Mexico State University in 1963 and his Ph.D. degree at Oklahoma State University in 1967. He joined the faculty as Professor of Meat Science at the University of Nebraska in 1966 and served the University for 45 years, including 32 years of service as the Head Marshal for UNL Commencement ceremonies.
Roger loved to teach, and his teaching responsibilities included Meat Industry Study Tour, Meat Processing, Meat Technology and Meat Investigations as well as advisement of graduate students. He served as the major professor to 55 Master of Science and 21 Ph.D. graduates. He has taught at meat industry processing schools and short-courses for a variety of organizations across North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Roger was also very influential in meat manufacturing, processing, and product development research; which led to his being published in hundreds of peer reviewed scientific articles, books, magazines and abstracts along with receiving over 170 research grants in the course of his 45 year career. He received the most public recognition for his work in restructured pork which led to the development of the McDonald’s McRib sandwich, but his body of work led to many breakthroughs which influenced the meat products enjoyed by people around the world to this day.
Roger was very dedicated to the AMSA (American Meat Science Association), serving as President in 1991-1992 for the 1000-member organization, and received a wide variety of recognition and honors including the R.C. Pollock Award, the highest award of the American Meat Science Association, the second-ever class of the Meat Industry Hall of Fame, and the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.
At home, Roger was a dedicated and loving husband and father and a long-standing member of the Waverly, NE community. He enjoyed cooking the meat for the annual Waverly UMC Church Barbecue and hosting gourmet dinners for the MaNoMaBu Gourmet Club and his close friends and family.
Roger is survived by his wife of 54 years, Wanda; sons Kevin and Brian Mandigo, and daughter Tiffany Medley-Eggert; sister Margaret Mandigo; and grandchildren Lunden Mandigo, Layla Mandigo, Greta Mandigo, Adelaide Medley, Brayden Medley, and Courtlynn Medley-Eggert. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation with family greeting friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel (4300 ‘O’ St, Lincoln, NE 68510). A celebration of Roger’s life will be held at 11:00a.m. on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at First United Methodist Church – Waverly (14410 Folkestone St, Waverly, NE 68462).
Memorials can be directed to First United Methodist Church – Waverly or the Roger Mandigo Meat Science Graduate Student Excellence Fund at the University of Nebraska Foundation.