Roger Douglas Zehr, 78, of Lincoln passed away Thursday, July 18, 2013. He was born March 28, 1935 in Lincoln and adopted by Meta and W.E. Zehr of Chappell, Nebraska. He married Margot Franke in 1959. They had 3 children. He married Sharon Hoppe Peshek in 1994. Roger graduated from Chappell High School; received his BA in History from NWU, and his MA in Psychology from UNK. Following graduation from college, Roger pursued his great love in life: coaching.
He taught and coached men’s basketball at Trenton, Benkleman, Chappell and Ogallala, taking a team to the State Tournament 1960. Being called ‘Coach’ was an honor to him even long after he was out of the profession. He left coaching for a sales position at TRW in Ogallala and excelled at his job thanks to his ability to develop relationships with people. This attribute served him well later in life when he worked as a regional sales director for Quaker State.
Clocking many ‘windshield hours’, he knew every hot spot for cherry pie and cinnamon rolls throughout the midwest. He retired in 1997. Rog was an avid sports fan. He loved his Yankees, Celtics, and Huskers; had a lifelong love-hate relationship with the game of golf, adored his grandchildren and was much loved in return. Sharing a good story and making others laugh always brought him joy. On June 10, 1980, Roger gained his sobriety. Mickey S was his AA sponsor and Rog often said, “The good Lord and Mickey saved my life.” He was active in AA, sponsoring many others in the program.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his older sister, Marilyn. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Peshek Zehr of Lincoln, his children: Lisa Holmquist (Steve) of Lincoln; Kyla Zehr (Kenton Johnson) of Beatrice; Lincoln Zehr (Julie) of Lincoln; Chris Peshek (Sarah) of Basalt, CO; Andrew Peshek (Kimberly) of Scottsdale, AZ; Michael Peshek (Katie) of Denver, CO; grandchildren: Collin & Laurel Holmquist; Jordyn & Tristan Zehr; Katie & RJ Peshek; Cassidy, Joey, & Annmarie Peshek; Henry ‘Hank’ Peshek; and special friends Sue Keller and Janel Stutzman.Blue skies and green lights, Rog!
A Celebration of his Life will be held in the chapel at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 8550 Pioneers Blvd. in Lincoln at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be given to The Tabitha Good House, Cedars Home for Children Foundation, or Nebraska Wesleyan University.