Roger Frederick Sporleder, age 78, of Bella Vista, Arkansas passed away peacefully at Circle of Life Hospice on March 29, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born in Chicago to Frederick and Virginia Maxine Sporleder, Roger grew up with a love for sports, fishing, and various outdoor activities. Roger was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan. He proudly served in the United States Army, Signal Company in the 3rd Special Forces Group as a radio operator at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 1966 to 1969. After his military service, he had a successful thirty-eight-year career at United Parcel Services (UPS) as a claims adjuster, and served as a Union Steward for the Teamsters, Local 705, until his retirement in 2007 at which time he and his wife moved from the Elk Grove Village, Illinois to Bella Vista, Arkansas.

While Roger was proud of his professional work and military service, his greatest joy was his family. He married the love of his life, Patricia, on April 25, 1971, and together they raised their daughter, Katie. Roger was the kind of father who never missed a softball game or dance recital. He proudly and patiently taught his daughter how to grow a garden, play softball, fish, and many important life skills. Roger always enjoyed annual summer family vacations in Wisconsin in a cabin by the lake, and waking up in the early morning hours starting up the outboard motor and heading out on the boat on the lake where he would fish for hours. He was known for his ability to fix anything with some research and patience, lending a helping hand to his neighbors, family, and friends, and his deep pride and love for his three grandsons.

In his retirement, Roger became a devoted "Papa" spending his days taking his grandsons to baseball practices and games and teaching them how to fish and golf. He served as the treasurer for The Knights of Columbus and a member of golf clubs at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church in Bella Vista, Arkansas. He loved planting and tending to his annual vegetable garden.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Jeff Sporleder.

Roger is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia; his daughter, Katie and her husband, Jenn; his three grandsons, Brandon, Noah, and Henry; great grandson, Alexander; his brother, Dennis (Carol) Sporleder; nieces, Beth (Lewie) Murdent, Sherri (Jon) Scorza, Jaime (Jonnie) Steffen; and nephew, Scott Sporleder.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 10 am at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Catholic Church, 1 St. Bernard Lane, Bella Vista, AR 72715, followed by a luncheon in the hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Circle of Life Hospice in Northwest Arkansas.