The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dr. S. Roger Hevel of Waitsburg, WA, died peacefully at home on January 26, 2024, at the age of 98.  Roger was born at Pendleton, OR, on Sept 29, 1925, to Shirley A. and Anna G. Hevel, graduating from Pendleton High School with the class of 1943. After attending the University of Oregon for two quarters, he turned 18 and volunteered for service in the U.S. Navy. After boot camp, the Navy sent him to college at Carroll College, MT, and the University of Washington where he earned a B.S. in Chemistry in 1946. At the end of WWII, he was discharged but remained in the Naval Reserve. He attended the University of Oregon Medical School (now Oregon Health Sciences University, receiving his M.D. in 1949. After completing his internship at Ancker Hospital in St. Paul, MN, he was recalled to active duty in the Navy, serving almost two years as a naval physician, primarily on ships transporting troops to and from the Korean conflict. After being discharged in 1952, he completed his residency at Providence and Emanuel Hospitals in Portland.

Roger married his high school sweetheart Laura Jean Hampton of Pendleton on March 23, 1947. They had a wonderful marriage of 71 years until she passed away on December 23, 2018. They moved to Waitsburg, WA, in 1953 where for 40 years Dr. Hevel was a family medical doctor, serving also as the City Health Officer. For more than fifty years, he was a devoted member of the Waitsburg First Presbyterian Church, where he served as an elder and trustee and sang in the choir. He was one of the founders of the Waitsburg Ambulance Service, serving on its board for many years. He was also a member of other local civic organizations, including the Commercial Club.

 He is survived by his son, David Roger Hevel of Richland, WA, daughter, Claudia Ann Hevel (and spouse Stan Doty) of Los Altos, CA, four grandchildren, David Roger Hevel, Jr. (and spouse Jocelyn), Melanie Ann Hevel-Olson (and spouse Eric), John Robert Hevel Doty (and spouse Claire Abu-Hakima) and Anna Dawn Hevel Doty, and two great-grandsons, Roger William Hevel and Elias Zachary Hevel. He was preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Carol Lee Travis Hevel, and infant children Douglas and Paula.

There will be a private interment at Olney Cemetery, Pendleton, Oregon. Donations in honor of Dr. Hevel may be given to the Hevel Waitsburg Fund through the Blue Mountain Community Foundation or to a charity of the donor's choice. On-line guest book is at www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com

Corbeill Funeral Home, Dayton, is caring for the family.