Roger Butland Obituary

Roger was my German Tutor In the 1980s. I would never have graduated without his help. I last spoke to him in the early 1990s. I always thought I would get to Bloomington for another visit, but sadly never did. He was a truly great man.

Roger Butland graduated from Indiana University-Bloomington and went on to pursue advanced studies in Near Eastern Languages & Literatures and in Classics. We got to know him as a graduate student who frequented our bookshop across the street from the campus. With his courtly manner and compassion for people needing attention, Roger was an unusual combination of rigorous scholar and humanitarian. Of the hundreds of students and professors who passed through our shop NO ONE exhibited his level of kindness and concern for people who needed support and friendship, so our conversations focused on his outreach work more than his academic research projects. Among his efforts, he kept a chess set laid out on the wall of a public park where people gathered, and he offered to teach the game to anyone who wanted to learn. Many of the people hanging out there were undoubtedly stunned that anyone would take them seriously enough to try to teach them anything, but Roger was intent on salvaging the self-esteem of people whom others had given up on. So, aside from his scholarly contributions, Roger will be remembered for his ethics, his keen sense of justice, and his kindly ways. He leaves behind many, many people whose lives he affected and helped; we fervently hope he was aware of this accomplishment and realized the difference that he had made. He was a truly irreplaceable member of our community, and he will be deeply missed.

Danna D'Esopo Jackson, Bloomington, IN

My heart is broken, I met Roger, in Bloomington, In, when I was still in High School, 20 years ago. He did so much for so many without the need for recognition. He helped me personally as a tutor in language as well as providing financial assistance to help me keep my business going. As well, he was quietly active in human rights by way of his personal interaction. Finally, he is one of the last of the true renaissance academics . From teaching a course in Italian opera to writing a book on the Maori language, or translating the books of the apostles in Chinese/English. Roger was also a competent violinist. The list of his accomplishment is truly beyond my ability to communicate. Honestly, I have never met someone so well rounded as a human being. Roger, you will truly be missed.

My heart is broken, I met Roger, in Bloomington, In, when I was still in High School, 20 years ago. He did so much for so many without the need for recognition. He helped me personally as a tutor in language as well as providing financial assistance to help me keep my business going. As well, he was quietly active in human rights by way of his personal intreraction. Finally, he is one of the last of the true renaissance academics . From teaching a course in Italian opera to writing a book on the Maori language, or translating the books of the apostles in Chinese/English. Roger was also a competent violinist. The list of his accomplishment is truly beyond my ability to communicate. Honestly, I have never met someone so well rounded as a human being. Roger, you will truly be missed.

Rest in well deserved peace, friend Roger. You championed many causes for the benefit of humanity and led a life of honorable example. One of my friends and one of my heroes...Thank you.

Nancy Rinehart