Roger Herman Adler, age 63, of Woodstock, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 5, 2017. A native of Wisconsin, he moved to Illinois as a young teen and had already decided to pursue his passion of music from that point on. After graduating from Prospect High School, he dove into the music business, teaching lessons…
Continue ReadingRoger Herman Adler, age 63, of Woodstock, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, October 5, 2017.
A native of Wisconsin, he moved to Illinois as a young teen and had already decided to pursue his passion of music from that point on. After graduating from Prospect High School, he dove into the music business, teaching lessons and playing live shows. He went on to be a successful musician writing, producing, and performing for television commercials, Wild Chicago, with the Chicago-based Ken Arlen Orchestra, and even a movie soundtrack. He was an Emmy nominated composer. After retiring, he continued to teach and work with local artists.
His loved ones celebrate all his accomplishments, but more so his personal legacy that he leaves behind. He was unwaveringly positive and approached all of life’s challenges with optimism. He had a very kind and sociable nature, which made him connect easily with everyone around him; he truly was a friend to all. In addition, he always spoke with the greatest pride about his two daughters who were the apple of his eye. They hope to follow his example and continue making him proud.
He is survived by many loved ones, including his beloved daughters, Nickie Adler and Jackie (Dan) Janke; his cherished companion of five years, Jane Turley and the Turley family; his siblings, Mary (Jim) Ferschinger, Mark Adler, and Jeff (Lisa) Adler; and nieces and nephews, Bryan (Kristin) Ferschinger, Jamie (Quintin) Ferschinger, and Sophie Adler. He will also be missed by his beloved grand-dogs, Ellie, Ty, and Luna.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Matt and Marian Adler.
A gathering to celebrate his life and music will be held Saturday, October 14, 2017, at the Dole Mansion (Sage Gallery), 401 Country Club Road, Crystal Lake. Friends may arrive between 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m., with a tribute service in Roger’s honor taking place at 1:30 p.m. Following the tribute, an informal visitation will resume until 5 p.m.
Memorials may be made to his family for a donation to be established at a later date.
Justen Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family. For information, call the funeral home at 815-385-2400, or visit www.justenfh.com, where friends may leave an on-line condolence message or share a memory with his family.
Funeral Home:
Justen Funeral Home & Crematory
3700 Charles J Miller Road
McHenry, IL
United States 60050
John Stefanski
left a message on October 14, 2017:
RIP Roger, We had only met you about a month ago, and our first impression was how kind & sincere you were...no false pretense like with many other accomplished musicians. We had a very nice talk about organizing a diabetes fundraiser in the near future (I play guitar). I hope that any musicians interested will contact me as the fundraiser can now be in his honor since he has passed so unexpectedly. Roger was going to help teach me to play guitar better and build my confidence in music. If there is a heaven, I bet he will be found there, with all the kind, gentle souls that are God's true friends...I hope your kind legacy will live on for many years dear friend. Rest in peace Roger...you will be missed by many
Deborah Ridley-Kern
left a message on October 14, 2017:
Jeff, Mary and Mark, I am so very sorry for the sudden loss of your brother Roger. I was so shocked when I saw the FB posting. He and I recently connected on FB, about 2 yrs ago. I enjoyed his quirkiness and his supportive and positive words. He is a dear and full honest soul. It is so obvious to me that he has many dear friends who love him immensely and carry him with them. You do it too, ok? I will keep you all in my prayers.
Ken Arlen
left a message on October 13, 2017:
Dear Nikki's, Jackie, Jane, and all of Rogers family, Nancy and I deeply regret that we cannot attend today's celebration of Roger's life because of a prior "out of town" commitment. Roger was a huge part of our life over the past 30 years both personally and professionally. There are so may memories and stories built over hundreds of performances together. I look forward to sharing some of these memories at some point in the future. He will be greatly missed.
CAROLE JOHNSON
left a message on October 11, 2017:
ROGER....THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS ..ALSO THE BRIGHT LIGHT YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU WENT.....WILL MISS YOU SWEETPEA....LOVE AUNT CAROLE...
Julia Hilstad
left a message on October 11, 2017:
Roger you always brought a smile to my heart whenever I saw you because you were always smiling. Your eyes always told me you were content & happy! It was such a pleasure to know you. I am so happy Jane found you!
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Dave Gardner
left a message on October 11, 2017:
No behalf of the WHIW 101.3 fm station and crew we offer our condolence to Rogers family and want to let everyone know how much we love and will miss Roger. He was a great musician and supporter of community radio. His show Blues Crossroads brought our programming to a greater height with his take on music, He will be missed......
Jackie & Dan
left a message on October 11, 2017:
Miss you so much, dad.
Scott Teasdale
left a message on October 11, 2017:
I was shocked when I read this in the paper. I met Roger years ago when Niki and my oldest daughter Jenna were in grade school together. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word through out the years. He restored an old wax record my Mother recorded when she played piano and was in a swing band out of high school in 1939/40 when at the Boardwalk in Ocean City MD. It was not listenable when he got it but restored it and when we listened to it for the 1st time in 60+ yrs I cried and so did he. My Mom heard it for the first time in 60+ yrs on her 80th birthday and she cried and was a young girl again if just for a moment. I thank you Roger for that memory that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. Godspeed my friend.
Kim Hays
left a message on October 11, 2017:
Fondest thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you and your daughters and Jane.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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John Stefanski
left a message on October 14, 2017:
RIP Roger, We had only met you about a month ago, and our first impression was how kind & sincere you were...no false pretense like with many other accomplished musicians. We had a very nice talk about organizing a diabetes fundraiser in the near future (I play guitar). I hope that any musicians interested will contact me as the fundraiser can now be in his honor since he has passed so unexpectedly. Roger was going to help teach me to play guitar better and build my confidence in music. If there is a heaven, I bet he will be found there, with all the kind, gentle souls that are God's true friends...I hope your kind legacy will live on for many years dear friend. Rest in peace Roger...you will be missed by many
Deborah Ridley-Kern
left a message on October 14, 2017:
Jeff, Mary and Mark, I am so very sorry for the sudden loss of your brother Roger. I was so shocked when I saw the FB posting. He and I recently connected on FB, about 2 yrs ago. I enjoyed his quirkiness and his supportive and positive words. He is a dear and full honest soul. It is so obvious to me that he has many dear friends who love him immensely and carry him with them. You do it too, ok? I will keep you all in my prayers.
Ken Arlen
left a message on October 13, 2017:
Dear Nikki's, Jackie, Jane, and all of Rogers family, Nancy and I deeply regret that we cannot attend today's celebration of Roger's life because of a prior "out of town" commitment. Roger was a huge part of our life over the past 30 years both personally and professionally. There are so may memories and stories built over hundreds of performances together. I look forward to sharing some of these memories at some point in the future. He will be greatly missed.
CAROLE JOHNSON
left a message on October 11, 2017:
ROGER....THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS ..ALSO THE BRIGHT LIGHT YOU BROUGHT WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU WENT.....WILL MISS YOU SWEETPEA....LOVE AUNT CAROLE...
Julia Hilstad
left a message on October 11, 2017:
Roger you always brought a smile to my heart whenever I saw you because you were always smiling. Your eyes always told me you were content & happy! It was such a pleasure to know you. I am so happy Jane found you!
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Dave Gardner
left a message on October 11, 2017:
No behalf of the WHIW 101.3 fm station and crew we offer our condolence to Rogers family and want to let everyone know how much we love and will miss Roger. He was a great musician and supporter of community radio. His show Blues Crossroads brought our programming to a greater height with his take on music, He will be missed......
Jackie & Dan
left a message on October 11, 2017:
Miss you so much, dad.
Scott Teasdale
left a message on October 11, 2017:
I was shocked when I read this in the paper. I met Roger years ago when Niki and my oldest daughter Jenna were in grade school together. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word through out the years. He restored an old wax record my Mother recorded when she played piano and was in a swing band out of high school in 1939/40 when at the Boardwalk in Ocean City MD. It was not listenable when he got it but restored it and when we listened to it for the 1st time in 60+ yrs I cried and so did he. My Mom heard it for the first time in 60+ yrs on her 80th birthday and she cried and was a young girl again if just for a moment. I thank you Roger for that memory that I will hold dear for the rest of my life. Godspeed my friend.
Kim Hays
left a message on October 11, 2017:
Fondest thoughts and heartfelt prayers are with you and your daughters and Jane.
left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
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