Roger M. Busfield, Jr.

Roger M. Busfield, Jr., formerly of Little Rock, passed away peacefully in his home of Georgetown, Texas, on Monday, May 4, 2015, with his wife Addie Howard Davis Busfield by his side. He was 89 years old. Roger was born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1926 to Julia Mabel Clark Busfield, of Fort Worth and Roger M. Busfield, Sr. originally of Massachusetts. The family moved to San Antonio and then settled, with both of his parents working as reporters for the Austin American Statesman. Spending many a Saturday afternoon at the movies, Roger developed a lifelong love for movies, theatre, literature and most importantly, education. Roger became an Eagle Scout and continued to be involved with his troop, gathering with its members until recent years. A graduate of Austin High School, where he made lifelong friends, Roger's education was briefly interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp at age 17, and, recognizing his gifts for language, he was trained as a Japanese interpreter, attaining the rank of corporal before peace brought an end to his military service, but not his lifelong identity as a Marine. After enlisting in the Marine Corp, Roger briefly attended the University of Texas and became an avid fan of the Longhorns. In 1946, he resumed his studies focusing on speech and theatre, receiving both a Bachelors and a Masters degree from Southwestern University. Roger stayed vitally involved in Southwestern throughout his life, serving as his class agent for many years. He was especially proud of being named as Distinguished Alumnus in 1977. In 1954, Roger earned his Ph.D. in Speech and Dramatic Arts from Florida State University. Dr. Busfield then relocated to East Lansing, Michigan, with his wife Jean Wilson Busfield, where he held the position of Assistant Professor in Speech and Theatre at Michigan State University. They had three children during their marriage. In 1962, Roger married Virginia Bailey and they had one child. Leaving academia in 1964, Roger worked in public relations before a long tenure as Associate Director of the Michigan Hospital Association. Roger continued his involvement in education, serving on the Board of Trustees of Central Michigan University from 1967-1973 and as a member of the Michigan Governor's Commission on Higher Education. He was also involved in numerous civic organizations and passionately involved in politics, serving as Chair of the Ingham County Republican Party. In 1973, Roger left Michigan and joined the Arkansas Hospital Association until his retirement in 1994 as President. Despite retirement, Roger continued his involvement as "President Emeritus", returning yearly for the Association's annual conventions to see his many dear friends. While in Arkansas, Roger served on many boards, including as a member the Arkansas Governor's Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council and Chairman of the Arkansas Governor's Task Force on Rural Hospitals. Although Roger had an extremely successful professional life and countless awards and recognitions during those years, his retirement was a time of great joy and the fulfillment of many dreams. On June 17, 1995, Roger, a widower, married his beloved wife Addie after becoming re-acquainted. The two had attended Southwestern together and had served as Maid of Honor and Best Man at the wedding of dear friends, a story they loved to tell. After decades away from his home state, the two newlyweds returned to Georgetown and became fixtures in the arts community and local politics. They were so involved in the activities at their alma mater that many joked that the curtain could not rise at a Southwestern performance if Roger and Addie were not in their seats, which they invariably were unless on one of their marvelous trips ranging from Hawaii to cruises to and throughout Europe. A lifelong writer, Roger wrote numerous plays, screenplays and contributed to many professional journals. The author of two books, The Children's Theatre and The Playwright's Art, Roger had a passionate love of theater. Upon moving to Georgetown, Roger and Addie were central members of the San Gabriel Writers League. At the time of his death, Roger was in rehearsals for DL Coburn's The Gin Game, which he was adapting to be perform at the Wesleyan at Scenic, where he was living. Despite physical infirmity, Roger never lost his keen mind and his insatiable curiosity. Following politics, sports and current events, and refusing to simply rest, he pursued his dreams until the very end. Of all of his interests, Roger's greatest was his family. He was extremely proud of his children, Terry Jean (Schmit) of Sacramento, Calif.; Roger (Buck) of Sacramento, California; Timothy of Howell, Michigan and Julia of Little Rock, Ark. Upon marrying Addie, he gained three more, Lois Heger, Will Davis, Jr. and Susann Wiener, chronicling all of the combined children, 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren in the annual Christmas letter. Roger is also survived by his cousin, David May of Houston, Texas, with whom he shared an interest in genealogy. Roger was a gentle soul, with a loud laugh and a passion for life. Friends and political foes alike considered him to be a force to be reckoned with but always an honorable man. Roger will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. A memorial service was held at the Cook-Walden Davis Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas. Memorials may be made to the Roger M. Busfield, Jr. Endowed Scholarship at Southwestern University, a scholarship established in 2006, by his wife and children in celebration of his 80th birthday or the San Gabriel Writers League. Words of comfort may be shared with the family by going to www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com. Arrangements by Cook-Walden/Davis Funeral Home, 2900 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas 78628 (512)863-2564.