Sheldon Roger, M.D., former orthopedic physician for the Denver Nuggets, passed away on February 20, 2016 at the age of 86.
Later in life, Dr. Roger, who began playing the piano at the age of 5, devoted himself to entertaining residents of retirement homes, even while his own health was failing.
Survivors include wife Carol Roger; sons, David Roger, David Rudnick, Stephen Roger, Jeffrey Roger; daughter, Stephanie Kingdom; brother, Burton Roger, and nine grandchildren.
A funeral was held on February 24, 2016 at the Hebrew Educational Alliance in Denver.
Sheldon Roger earned his medical degree at Indiana University and then undertook a residency in surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. After serving as a captain in the U.S. Army medical corps from 1955 to 1957, Dr. Roger completed his residency in 1960 at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He practiced orthopedics at Rose Medical Center and at the Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1997 and 1998, he acted as the VA’s chief of orthopedics.
Dr. Roger’s son, Stephen, commented, “He had a private practice for over 50 years. I truly enjoyed spending hours in his office and watching him work. Medicine was really a ‘calling’ for my dad. At times, my dad would stop by a patient’s house every day to see how they were doing.”
“Sports medicine game him a real thrill, and he knew that he was fortunate to be able to bring these two worlds together. I think one of his favorite periods as a physician was when he was with the Denver Nuggets.”
“As his health faded, he continued to find purpose in donating his time to retirement homes. He would go there, sit at the piano, make it ‘sing, ’ and spread some cheer.”
Contributions in Dr. Roger’s name can be made to The Denver Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association, Colorado Chapter.
