Roger Arthur Winkler

Longtime Alaska resident Roger Arthur Winkler, 87, passed away September 22, 2014 at New Dawn Assisted Living in Aurora, Colorado. Roger was born in Burlington, Wisconsin to Arthur and Anna Winkler (Scheller).

He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946 along with his friend and soon-to-be brother-in-law Jim Hewitt. In 1949 Roger and his friend Jack Steffel drove up the Alcan Highway to Alaska and to many lifelong adventures. Roger graduated from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks with a Land Surveying and Mechanical Engineering degree.

While in college his summers were spent working with and learning gold dredging operations.

He then went on to work on construction and surveying jobs that took him to many places along the Aleutian Chain and other remote areas in Alaska surveying for future runways. He built, and was part owner, of the King Salmon Lodge in Naknek, Alaska where he enjoyed fishing for salmon. Gold mining, treasure hunting and riding his 3-wheeler were his passions. In 1990 Roger married Beverly Bennett (Mahoney) and became the instant stepfather to her three children.

Roger was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Oliver Winkler, sisters Grace Hewitt (Jim) and Doris Shanahan, his niece Joy Hewitt, and nephew Chris Winkler.

Roger is survived by his loving wife Beverly Winkler of Aurora, Colorado, his stepsons Jim Bennett of California and DeWayne Bennett of Alaska, his stepdaughter Shannon (Bennett) Kelley (Derek) of Colorado, his grandsons Brett Bennett of Alaska and Avery Kelley of Colorado, his granddaughter Jamie (Bennett) Peters (Jeremy) of California and great-grandson Micah Peters of California, as well as numerous nieces and nephews in Alaska, Wisconsin, Illinois and California. Roger also leaves behind many friends and his best walking buddies Maggie and Buddy.

He never met a person he didn't like or wouldn't help. His life adventures are now at an end, but his new life is just beginning. A memorial service will be held in Alaska the summer of 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Wasilla, Alaska and his ashes will be scattered along the trail where he loved walking his dogs.

Please visit castlerockfuneralandcremation.com to share your memories of Roger and receive further information on his service.