Roger Emil Quast, 81, passed away Monday, February 21, 2022, at UnityPoint Health/Iowa Methodist Medical Center, in Des Moines, Iowa. Memorial services are pending.
Roger was born to Mildred Viola (nee: Abram) and Reinhardt August (Hermann) Quast on September 8, 1940, in Bergen Township, Minnesota. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer (Troy) Gualco; grandson, TJ (Paige) Devine of Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington; granddaughters, Carolyn (Ethan Andersen) Devine, of Bondurant, Iowa; and Claire Devine of Altoona, Iowa; great-grandson, Rowan Devine (son of TJ & Paige); brother, Earl (Mary Sue) Quast of Abilene, Texas.
Roger was born a cowboy and raised on a farm. The discipline he was raised with led him to serve in the Army National Guard as a member of the 682nd Engineer Battalion. In his 50s, he convinced the company he worked for (in a suburb of Minneapolis) to open a branch in Billings, Montana. He loaded up his pickup truck and his horse trailer and headed out west. Roger lived his dream on a ranch in Montana with his three horses (Sonny, Grey Ghost, and W.T.). He also raised his wolf dog, Shiloh (¼ Alaskan Malamute, ¾ Gray Wolf), on the ranch. All his free time was spent in the saddle. He truly found himself when he was out west.
Roger leaves behind a legacy any cowboy would be proud of. What really mattered to Roger was making sure those he loved, and those in need, got what they needed. Roger always treated the janitor the same as the CEO. He never met a stranger. He had love for everyone. His heart was big - and when we say big, we mean BIG. You could call at any time of the day or night and his attention was focused on listening and giving loving advice. He voiced the words "I love you" freely to his daughter and grandchildren. He was the shoulder we could lean on; a man we could rely on. He gave his everything to those he loved.
In 2001, Roger moved to Iowa to be near his daughter and his grandchildren. He worked at the Texaco/Shell Gas Station as a part-time clerk for Lance & Nora Demers, who became lifelong friends. Through that job, he met so many people from the Altoona community and loved visiting with them. When Roger wasn't working, and in his retirement, his time was spent attending his grandchildren's events and activities. He loved picking the kids up from school and spending afternoons with them. They were always his biggest pride & joy. Honestly, no greater love. He enjoyed spending the evenings singing karaoke (Waylon & Willie) at local dive bars.
Roger served others any way he could and spent a healthy portion of his monthly fixed income donating to causes that were important to him: St. Jude's, Hope Ministries, Wounded Warriors, and Tunnels to Towers. St. Jude's and Hope Ministries meant the most to him.
The family would like to thank Marv & Cinda Schut for praying over Roger during his final day and the nurses & staff at UnityPoint Health/Iowa Methodist Medical Center for the care and compassion they showed to Roger and his family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Roger's daughter and family, or consider donating in his memory to:
St. Jude's: https://www.stjude.org/donate/
Hope Ministries: https://www.hopeiowa.org/donatenow/