Roger Wayne Dahlen, age 83, died of complications from a valiant battle with cancer on July 12, 2019 in Fort Collins, Colorado.
Roger is survived by his wife, Karen H. Dahlen, of Fort Collins, Colorado; his children: Peggy Stocker (Geoff) of Rhode Island, Garth Dahlen (Melanie) of Pennsylvania, Todd Dahlen (Julie) of Maryland, Tara McQuaid (Scott) of Pennsylvania, Jeff Hackleman (Joe) of Utah, Tim Hackleman (Amy) of Nebraska; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Orin and Marion Dahlen, of Iola, Wisconsin.
Roger was born on September 7, 1935 in Iola, Wisconsin. He graduated from Luther College in 1956 with a degree in Biology. He went on to graduate from the University of Iowa in 1960 with a PhD in Physiology. Roger taught at Boston College School of Medicine and at Seton Hall School of Medicine as an instructor from 1962-1968. In 1968, he moved to Maryland and accepted a position in the Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health and subsequently with the National Library of Medicine Extramural Programs. He worked for more than 30 years at NIH and was a fellow and member of the American Medical Informatics Association. After retirement, he held a consulting position with the Department of Medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Roger was a family man and a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He married Marilyn Johnson in 1956. He later married RoAnne Muldoon in 1962. He married Karen in 1986; and they resided in and enjoyed residence in many states finally settling in Fort Collins, Colorado. Roger was socially active and deeply involved in Medicine, Medical Education, and Medical Informatics throughout his life. He enjoyed traveling, reading, crossword puzzles, mentoring family members, and watching and attending sporting events. He loved to use his great and unique sense of humor to cheer up those around him. His family and friends will always remember him as an intelligent, compassionate, and caring person.
A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 8426 S. Hwy 287 in Fort Collins, Colorado, 80525. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Roger’s life. The family would like to thank everyone who provided care and support for Roger during this difficult time. He will be missed by many and forgotten by no one who knew him.