[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[House]
[Page 20862]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO ROGER A. NICKERSON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Kind) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute and honor a 
great American patriot, Roger Nickerson, my uncle, who passed away last 
Monday. Roger Nickerson embodied all that is good and decent about 
America. He loved our country, and he served it with honor and 
distinction for 30 years in the United States Navy, both in Active and 
Reserve status. He retired as a Master Chief, with many medals and 
accomplishments.
  The Chief, as many of us liked to call him, then worked for the INS 
for 7 years before retiring with his wife Rosemary to Stoddard, 
Wisconsin, where he converted an old one-room schoolhouse into their 
beautiful home.
  He was truly a Renaissance man, capable of doing anything with his 
hands, and with a high standard for perfection. If anyone can be 
described as the strong silent type, it was the Chief. He had the looks 
of Robert Redford and the coolness of Clint Eastwood. In short, he was 
a great role model for those of us who knew him.
  But as much as he loved his country and was proud of his service, he 
loved his family even more. He was a terrific husband, father, 
grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. There was nothing he would not 
do for family and friends. And if there is such a thing, as I believe 
there is, as a lifelong soul mate, the Chief found her in his wife 
Rosemary. They met at an early age and their commitment blossomed into 
a lifelong adventure, taking them and their kids to new destinations 
every few years due to his military service.
  His greatest source of pride was his children, Randy, Robin, Rhonda, 
Robbie, and his many grandchildren. I know the good Lord does not 
produce too many Roger Nickersons in this world. All of us who knew him 
feel blessed and fortunate to have had him in our lives. Now he has 
found his peace and comfort by rejoining his youngest son, Robert, in 
the presence of our Lord, where they will wait for the rest of us to 
join them. May God bless them and keep them in his care.
  Roger Nickerson, the Chief, was loved by many and will be missed. Mr. 
Speaker, I just wanted the rest of our Nation to know a little bit 
about this great American patriot here tonight.

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