Roger William Metz, age 89 of Highlands Ranch, CO went to be with the Lord on July 18, 2025. He was born on May 31, 1936 to William and Philamena Metz in Seattle, Washington and considered Seattle and the northwest home for many years.
He is survived by his son Roger William Metz Jr., (Monica) and daughter Jennifer Ann Maxwell (Brian) both of Highlands Ranch, CO; son-in-law John Carl Kurt (Park Ridge, IL); and 10 Royal grandchildren who affectionately called him “Pop Pop” (Elizabeth, Charles, Henry, Caroline, Jack, Michael, Thomas, William, Andrew and Katie).
Roger was preceded in death by his loving wife of 52 years, Mary (Bax) Metz and daughter Mary Elizabeth (Molly) Kurt, infant son, Patrick Joseph Metz, infant granddaughter Mary Grace Kurt, sister Marilyn Milloy, and his parents: mother, Philamena Sentz Metz and father, William Willard Metz.
Roger and Mary met on a ski train from Kansas City to Colorado where Mary asked Roger for a bottle opener. That drink was the beginning of their 52-year adventure together.
Roger spent his career in hospital administration after graduating from the University of Washington and University of Minnesota with a Master’s of Hospital Administration. He began his career at Menorah Medical Center in Kansas City and his career took the family to Houston, TX; Grand Rapids, MI; Springfield, MO; Farmington Hills, MI and finally back to Kansas City, MO where he and Mary retired. Roger delighted in caring for people and his dedication to healthcare was a perfect fit for his kind heart.
The Catholic faith was a central part of Roger’s life; he served in multiple ministries including the Knights of Columbus, Men of St. Michael, church usher and bible study participant.
Roger learned to ski early in his life and even spent time on ski patrol during college. He passed along his love of skiing to his children and grandchildren who all ski and have enjoyed time at the family’s Silverthorne, CO cabin over the years. In addition to skiing, Roger was known as an avid sports fan, cheering for his Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, as well as the many teams of his kids’ and grandkids’ colleges - especially the Kansas Jayhawks and Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Roger’s most cherished moments in life were with his family, from the beaches of Lake Michigan to ski slopes in Colorado, as well as hosting his 10 grandchildren alongside Mary for the holidays and the annual “cousin camp” retreats at their beloved 70th Terrace and Leawood homes.
After Mary passed away in 2016 from a brief battle with cancer, Roger moved to Highlands Ranch to the Wind Crest Retirement Community to be closer to family where he lived out his final years, first in the independent living community and ultimately the assisted living facility.
Roger nurtured many friendships across the country, including Seattle, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Houston, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Denver. He made friends easily and was loved and cared for by the Wind Crest and Emmaus Catholic Hospice teams. Roger suffered quietly over the past 4.5 years of his life but remained steadfast and faithful to the Catholic Church and his end goal, making it to heaven to reunite with his loved ones. What a joyous reunion it will be reuniting with his wife Mary, daughter Molly and other loved ones in Heaven.
Services will be held on Monday, August 4, 2025 at St. Michael the Archangel in Leawood, KS, with a 9:30 a.m. Rosary and 10:00 a.m. funeral Mass. Roger will be buried beside his beloved Mary and several relatives in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kansas City.
The family would like to thank his wonderful Wind Crest caregivers who worked tirelessly for more than 4.5 years to support him, as well as the compassionate Emmaus Catholic Hospice team of Denver, caring for Dad with such great love and faith in his final months of life.
In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donations to go to Emmaus Catholic Hospice of Denver, CO, who lovingly cared for Roger for the past 16 months.