Roger Freiermuth

**Roger Alan Freiermuth** (December 8, 1962 - March 20, 2019) was an American retired member of the US Navy and engineer for the Construction Battalions (Naval Construction Force) better known as then US Seabees

## Roger Freiermuth

### Occupation

Engineer for the US Naval Construction Force (NCF)

## Early life

Freiermuth was born in Hastings, Minnesota on December 8, 1962 to parents Eileen Wermerskirchen (Summers) and Edward Freiermuth. He had 2 other biological brothers, and 2 half sisters. He grew up in Northfield MN and eventually moved to Arizona due to work. He was an employee at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Arizona.

## Later life and death

He has suffered a variety of health issues within the past 5 years including problems with his knees and several operations on his left knee which almost left to a below the knee amputation. Eventually, his health got better for some time. He gained the ability to walk normally again without assistance of a walker/cane or around the clock care. However, in late 2018, his health began to decline once again and only got worse over time.

In January 2019, Freiermuth was hospitalized at a Phoenix hospital for chest pain and was in fear of a heart or lung related issue. After numerous tests, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor that originated under his left arm pit near his left lung and metastasized (spread) to his brain. The cause of it was never determined, but it was rumored it was from his years of smoking and substance abuse. A few days later it was determined to be a stage 4 based cancer on the top part of his brain that traveled to the near center of the brain. It was also determined that he would not have longer than a year left to live and radiation therapy was started days later. After a month of therapy, treatment, and hospitalization, it was determined that the radiation therapy wasn’t succeeding. It was also determined no surgical procedures could be done due to the severity. In early March 2019, it was determined that another tumor was found in his brain near the stem. After the fact it was confirmed that there was nothing else that could be done and was placed on hospice care at home where he’d live out his final days. A few days later it was determined that based off the cancer and his persistent decline in health, he has at the maximum with proper care of up to 2 months left to live. Throughout the week of March 14 - March 19 his health continued to decline persistently and in the late night of March 20, it was announced by his son Nick, that Roger passed away at his home due to complications of two stage 4 based cancerous brain tumors and a combination of uncontrollable pain. He was eventually cremated and his celebration of life service was held on April 6, 2019. On Memorial Day 2019, at St Olaf collage, there was a service to honor those who have served in any branch of the U.S Armed Forces. He among others were remembered for their service. His official funeral service was held in the summer of 2019. Another celebration of life service was held on his birthday on Sunday December 8, 2019 at St Dominic’s Catholic Church.

## Personal life

He was married to his wife Kim of many years and eventually dealt with a devastating divorce. He has two kids, Megan and Nick. He was a man with a funny sense of humor and was very caring.