Dr. Roger Arlo Nordstedt's Obituary
Dr. Roger Arlo Nordstedt, 71, resident of Melrose, Florida, died Monday, October 6, 2014 in the North Florida Regional Medical Center, following a long illness.
Dr. Nordstedt was born on October 16, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas to Arlo and Connie Baxter Nordstedt. He graduated high school in Sedgwick, Kansas, and then received his Bachelors and Masters’ Degrees from Kansas State University, where he was a member of the varsity Glee Club, and was president of the Farm House Fraternity and was a member of Blue Key Honor Society. He then went on to receive his PhD from the Ohio State University. Dr. Nordstedt began his career at the University of Florida in 1969 as a professor in the Agriculture & Biological Engineering Department, doing teaching, research and extension work. He was awarded teacher of the year several times, 1990-91, 2001-02 and again in 2003-04. He received the title of Professor Emeritus and retired in 2005. He was the author of numerous articles in books and magazines and received a special recognition award in 2005 from the Florida section of the American Society of Agriculture Engineering. Dr. Nordstedt was a long time member of the First Lutheran Church of Gainesville, a member of the senior choir and of the Boars Head Festival for 10 years. His hobbies included traveling, gardening and going to Gator basketball games. He was preceded in death by a son, Randall C. Nordstedt.
He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Clara Davidson Nordstedt; mother, Connie Nordstedt; son, David Roger (Mary) Nordstedt; daughters, Paula Little (Richard) Gonzalez and Laura Ann (Jim) Hite; grandchildren, Justin R. Gonzalez, and Devon(Eric) Madden; great grandchildren, Elliana “Ellie” Madden, and Theus Madden; brother, Ronald Nordstedt; and a sister Linda Nordstedt Schroeder.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014 at 11:00 A. M., in the First Lutheran Church of Gainesville, 1801 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, with Rev. John Glover, officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, October 8,2014 from 5 to 7 P. M., at Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the music department of the First Lutheran Church of Gainesville, 1801 NW 5th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32603.
What’s your fondest memory of Dr. Roger?
What’s a lesson you learned from Dr. Roger?
Share a story where Dr. Roger's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Dr. Roger you’ll never forget.
How did Dr. Roger make you smile?