Roger Kenneth Strand (IABE '47), a decorated World War II veteran who became the 100th member to join the Iowa Beta Alumni Association and who served as one of our oldest living alumni brothers, entered the Chapter Eternal at his home in Merrill, WI on Sunday, August 7, 2016.  He was age 93.

Strand was born July 26, 1923 to the late Oliver T. and Mabel Johnson Strand.  He had two brothers, the late Kenneth and Reverend Oliver T. Strand Jr.

He attended the University of Iowa and pledged the Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.  He was initiated into the fraternity on December 13, 1942 and received badge number 57008.  A student athlete, he lettered in tennis.

Strand was active in the fraternity and served as Pledge Trainer prior to going off to war.  In addition to the history of the fraternity and our most popular songs, Strand made sure the pledges knew the main song for each of the sororities so they could sing that song as the grand finale during a serenade.  “Needless to say, that made SAE very popular with the ladies,” he once recalled.

As a sophomore, he and 8 other Iowa Beta SAEs (pictured above) enlisted in the US Army to fight in World War II.  He was initially selected for a special military engineering program but ultimately served in the infantry as a part of the fabled “Ghost Army”, which saved many lives by drawing enemy fire enabling the larger U.S. offensive to launch surprise attacks.

Roger fought in the major battles of the European Theatre beginning with the invasion of Normandy, France at Omaha Beach on D-Day, and progressing through France, Belgium, Luxemburg, and into Germany.

He took part in the Liberation of Paris, the Battle of the Bulge, the Crossing of the Rhine and the liberation of the death camps.

"I vividly remember the horrors I saw during those campaigns," Strand said recently.

After his honorable discharge, he returned to the University of Iowa to complete his studies.  He moved back into the SAE house and served as the Eminent Deputy Archon of the chapter.  He graduated with a degree in business in 1947.

Roger spent most of his life in retail sales and management, working for International Harvester (now Navistar) and J.C. Penney.  He operated his own business, Strand's Department Store in Merrill, where he met his beloved wife of 41 years, Nancy.

Roger valued and served his community. He was a member and president of the Merrill Rotary Club, charter member and first president of the Lincoln Community Theater, chairman of the Merrill Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee, M.A.R.C. fund-raising committee, and served on other education, city, and church committees. He taught adult Sunday school, volunteered at the Food Pantry, and along with wife, Nancy, hosted several foreign exchange students including their special daughter, Kaoruko Isawa, of Japan.

Strand was a proud member of the Iowa Beta Alumni Association and would frequently email or call to provide his thoughts and advice about the future.  Most recently, Roger authored a story in the April 2016 newsletter about being reunited with a long lost fraternity brother and comrade-at-arms after 70 years. 

Roger was known for his cheerful optimism, love of learning, appreciation of nature, and devotion to family.  He enjoyed flowers and landscaping.

"We have lost one of Iowa Beta's greatest treasures," said Iowa Beta Alumni Association president Marc Rosenow (IABE '86).  "I had the great honor of becoming friends with Roger and Nancy.  He had such a joy for life.  With a quick wit and a warm smile, brother Roger Strand was truly a one-of-a-kind.  An American hero and SAE True Gentleman, we shall not see his like again."

Roger is survived by his wife Nancy Strand of Merrill; son, Charles R. (Elizabeth) Strand of La Quinta, CA; daughter, Martha P. (Walter) Newton of Ogden Dunes, IN; step-children: Jeffrey (Lyrae) Ganz of Rice, MN; Bethany (Doug) Ganz Leonard of Pewaukee, WI; and Heather (John) Ganz Poduska of Winchester, MA; grandchildren: Christopher Newton; Matthew Newton; Katherine Hall; and Rebecca (Tyler) Strand-Payne; step-grandchildren: Reed Ganz; Austin Ganz; Evan O'Day; Eamonn O'Day; Keegan O'Day; Dominic Leonard; Isabella Poduska; Sophia Poduska; and Eva Poduska; and several nieces and nephews.

“May the memory of his good deeds and the example of his noble life ever abide with us as a lasting heritage throughout all succeeding generations.”