Roger graduated from Western Washington University with a major in art and a degree in education. He taught fourth and fifth grades in the Oak Harbor School District for 31 years. Roger used projects to keep his students’ interest keen. Once the students built a glider airplane in the classroom which they then flew.
A mother of Tsimshian heritage and many summers sailing the coasts of B.C. and Alaska inspired Roger to create Northwest Native American art. His first big community project was the first Salmon Wheel in Coupeville (Whidbey Island Museum). He continued with yearly designs for the Penn Cove Water Festival and he designed and brought together local carvers to create the present Whale Wheel in Coupeville.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents Roger and Huldah (Viereck-Coffelt) Purdue, his sister, Annabelle Leatherwood, his brothers-in-law Ed Morgan and Robert Sherman.
He is survived by his wife Sara Sherman Purdue, his children, Wilbur (Julieanna) Purdue, grandson Henry Purdue, and Grace Purdue, his sister Jennie (Kelly) Reid, sisters-in-law Susan Morgan, Cheryl (Robert A) Engle, brother in law Fred Leatherwood, nephews Clifton Leatherwood, Roger (Dawn) Reid, Robert W. (Mary) Engle, nieces Ruth (Mark) Carlson, Donna (Russell) Bailey, Bonnie (Scott) Bennett, many great nieces and nephews and many friends who brought great joy to his life.
An open house for Roger’s friends to visit and view Roger’s art work will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall on Sunday, March 2.
Memorials may be made to Orcas Island Historical Society Museum, Island County Historical Society Museum, Coupeville Art Center, Penn Cove Water Festival and Coupeville History Day.
Roger graduated from Western Washington University with a major in art and a degree in education. He taught fourth and fifth grades in the Oak Harbor School District for 31 years. Roger used projects to keep his students’ interest keen. Once the students built a glider airplane in the classroom which they then flew.
A mother of Tsimshian heritage and many summers sailing the coasts of B.C. and Alaska inspired Roger to create Northwest Native American art. His first big community project was the first Salmon Wheel in Coupeville (Whidbey Island Museum). He continued with yearly designs for the Penn Cove Water Festival and he designed and brought together local carvers to create the present Whale Wheel in Coupeville.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents Roger and Huldah (Viereck-Coffelt) Purdue, his sister, Annabelle Leatherwood, his brothers-in-law Ed Morgan and Robert Sherman.
He is survived by his wife Sara Sherman Purdue, his children, Wilbur (Julieanna) Purdue, grandson Henry Purdue, and Grace Purdue, his sister Jennie (Kelly) Reid, sisters-in-law Susan Morgan, Cheryl (Robert A) Engle, brother in law Fred Leatherwood, nephews Clifton Leatherwood, Roger (Dawn) Reid, Robert W. (Mary) Engle, nieces Ruth (Mark) Carlson, Donna (Russell) Bailey, Bonnie (Scott) Bennett, many great nieces and nephews and many friends who brought great joy to his life.
An open house for Roger’s friends to visit and view Roger’s art work will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Coupeville Recreation Hall on Sunday, March 2.
Memorials may be made to Orcas Island Historical Society Museum, Island County Historical Society Museum, Coupeville Art Center, Penn Cove Water Festival and Coupeville History Day.
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