Roger Shelton
October 8, 1948 - July 24, 2018
Dear Friends,
Roger Shelton, a beloved member of the Fellowship of Friends, completed his task on Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at 8:40 pm. Roger would have turned seventy this coming October.
Roger joined the School in Seattle, on September 24, 1973. He, and his wife Sharon, supported centers in St. Louis, Carmel, Marin, Seattle, the Bay Area, and Sacramento. Roger and Sharon moved to Apollo in 1992. Here, his devotion to serving the School and his commitment to helping fellow students led him to become involved with Apollo University, contribute to the development of the Apollo library, and to serve as Staffing Manager.
On behalf of all who knew you, we thank thee.
In loving presence,
For The Elysian Society
Epitaph:
Best men practice the best arts – he seeks the divine flame
Funeral Service Text: Roger Shelton 2018-07
Thou know’st ’tis common; all that lives must die,
Passing through nature to eternity
Shakespeare
When I was a center director at Vancouver in the 1970s Roger came up to be the center director at Seattle, and we often used to schedule bi-center events at either Seattle or Vancouver. Then, many years later, on my return to Apollo from Europe, I worked with Roger on the board of the Apollo University. That for many years. It was Roger who established the university as a non-profit organization. I remember, when the school’s emphasis went to Greece, Roger taught a course on Plato’s Symposium. His warmth, his good understanding, his balanced nature, and his natural generosity made it the greatest pleasure for all – and I think that, for him, it was one of the greatest fulfillments of his years on salary. I remember also when he and Sharon suddenly appeared as the reception and scheduling staff at the local medical clinic, at the corner of Marysville Road and Rices Crossing Road. When you came in with an emergency, feeling very uneasy, it was the most lovely bouquet of welcoming energy and concern. And Roger’s last job, placing incoming students on salary and helping them to adapt and feel at home, was something he did creatively – to the great benefit of the Fellowship. What I remember particularly about Roger was his tremendous absorptive and forgiving capacity. He could take in toxins and turn them right around. I sometimes felt that if he were placed in a den of wild hyenas he would soon have them speaking politely to one another and feeling they needed to be worthy of the other’s self respect. Whatever part of the universe he is in now is lucky to have him, and I miss him still.
Roger and I went through junior high and high school together. My memories of him are that he always had a huge smile and, as always, was warm and outgoing! He always had a kind word no matter what the circumstances. As I recall, he also acted in West Side Story under
Director Jay Caley as well. Please GOd, watch over him!
Dear Sharon and family,
I am not aware of Apollo, or if Roger was a teacher there, but I want to tell you that Roger appeared in the second play I ever directed (Bye Bye Birdie at MIHS). I clearly remember working with Roger and recall him a happy, friendly, wonderful worker. I appreciated his work in the play and the respect he gave me. He will be in my prayers.
Jay Caley, MIHS 1962-1993
Roger , my friend , your efforts did not pass unnoticed !….
Roger has been a friend, a dear friend since I first met him in 1971. His generous spirit and ability to love have always been a source of joy and strength for me. Not to be argumentative, I have always experienced Roger as a very complicated person, capable of deep thought and contemplation, while at the same time offering uncomplicated friendship and acceptance. Our travels in life have meant that we did not spend a lot of time together, but have always been close. His family accepted me at a time I wasn’t sure I’d be accepted. Sharon is a treasure and I/we hold her in our hearts always. Thank you.
Dear Roger,
I always thought of you as a simple, decent, trustworthy, responsible person. We can only hope that your moving on will not leave an unfilled void, but will make space for someone, equally wise and generous, who has been preparing to take your place.
Rest for now; even greater challenges await you.
Allen