Roger William Denker

Roger William Denker, 88, of Hot Springs Village passed November 19, 2021. He was born July 2, 1933,
to Carl and Blanche Denker of Redfield, South Dakota. He married Connie Goodell June 8, 1956. They
were a loving couple for 65 years.

Upon graduation from South Dakota State University in 1956, Roger taught PE, and started the second
wrestling program in South Dakota at Spearfish High School. In 1961, Roger moved to Casper, Wyoming
to teach history, and continued his coaching career. In 1963, he made the move to Warrensburg,
Missouri, to be the head wrestling coach (1963-1981) and assistant football coach (1963-1972). During
his career as a wrestling coach, he helped guide the team to six top 20 finishes at the national
tournament, including 10 All-Americans and 163 national qualifiers. Roger was inducted into the South
Dakota Wrestling Hall of fame (1985), and the Missouri Wrestling Association Hall of fame (1994).
During his career, he achieved his doctorate degree in education. Roger reached the rank of Colonel in
the Army National Guard with more than 30 years of distinguished service.

Roger is survived by his wife, Connie Denker, Hot Springs Village; son Jay Denker (Val) of Warrensburg,
MO; daughter Shelly Stover (Sam) of Hot Springs Village, AR; son Kel Denker (Lynn) of Royal, AR;
granddaughter Jennifer Schimmer (Nick), grandsons Dane (Ashley) and Kye Denker, Jace (Jessica), Bryce,
and Alex Denker, and 3 great-grandchildren, Tristan, Liam, and Hadley Schimmer. He is preceded in
death by his parents and his grand-daughter Shae Lene Denker.

Roger was buried on November 21, 2021, at Cedar Vale Cemetery after a service at Cedar Vale Funeral
Home, 200 Minorca Rd., Hot Springs Village, AR 71909.

A celebration of Roger’s life will be held January 15, 2022, in Warrensburg, Missouri. Family and friends
will be gathering at the Kitterman Room 237 in the UCM Union at 5 pm., and then at 7pm at Hero’s in
the private dining area. On Sunday morning friends and family will gather at the Multipurpose Building
at 8 am for coffee and a special announcement. If you would like to honor Roger’s memory, the family
suggests making a donation to the Roger Denker Wrestling Scholarship Fund at UCM, using the following
link, https://www.ucm-foundation.org/give/denker, or contact the UCM Foundation for other options.