In the early morning hours on Feb. 5, 2015, Roger Einar Solie passed away in his home in Oracle, Az. He died from complications of the flu. He was 79 years old.
Roger was born Jan. 16, 1936 in Milwaukee, Wi. He was the second child of Aynard and Gladys Solie.
Roger spent his early years in Milwaukee and moved to Ohio in the third grade where he enjoyed playing the steel guitar and riding motorcycles.
After graduation, he joined the Air Force and served for four years in Alaska and Wisconsin.
Roger moved to Arizona in 1962 where he worked as a lab tech and X-ray tech for Dr. Coy Purcell, Dr. Brickler and Dr. Reilly in Tucson. In the early 70s, he moved to Oracle and helped open Dr. Coy Purcell’s office. In 1974, Roger graduated from the University of Arizona Nursing Program, one of eight male nurses. The remainder of his career, he worked as a registered nurse, which he truly enjoyed.
Roger is survived by his wife of 46 years, Betty; children, Ingrid Van Winkle (Gary) and Eva Solie (Bobby Rodriguez); grandchildren, Justin South, Jennifer Crowe (John), Sarah Lawhon (Katy) and Desiree Solie (Andrew); and two great-grandchildren, Cedar and Isobelle.
A memorial service will be held Feb. 13, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Living Word Chapel in Oracle.