Roger Gene Cashatt

Visitation: Friday, August 25, 2023, 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Peterson Mortuary, 212 S. Locust Street, Glenwood, Iowa.

Private Graveside Services: Glenwood Cemetery, Glenwood, Iowa.

Roger Gene Cashatt was born in Atlantic, Iowa on November 14, 1940 to Herbert (Frank) and Francis (Fanny) Cashatt. Roger’s father was involved in construction work and moved several places in Iowa, Missouri and Kansas. Roger’s family moved to Griswold, Iowa in 1957 where he met his future bride, Gloria J. Newman. To this union 2 children were born, Curtis Michael and Melanie Sue. Roger and Gloria moved to Glenwood in 1961. He worked for several construction companies such as Soby, Pettit, Nelson and Kiewit. After several bosses saw his talent, Roger was promoted to Heavy Highway Supervisor of many highways and county road projects.

In 1976 Roger started his own construction company, Cashatt Construction. The company focused on soil and water conservation and numerous county road projects. Roger built many terraces, waterways and dams in Mills County. He brought on several employees among them, his son Curt who later started his own business. Driving through Mills County, you will see many projects that Roger and Curt had a hand in.  Among them were rebuilding projects at Glenwood Lake Park. While running his own company, Roger took a job at Offutt Airforce Base as a winter over-hire running heavy equipment that removed snow from airplane runways. He enjoyed this off-season work for 25 years.

Throughout Roger’s life he and Gloria enjoyed traveling with their children for Curt’s motocross races, Melanie’s softball games, watching Curt grow his own business and traveling with Gloria. Two of their favorite places they visited several times were Galena, Illinois and Shipshewana, Indiana. Roger was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenwood, Iowa.

Later in life, he loved playing with his granddaughters Autumn and Shelbie, attending their sporting, school events and dance recitals.

Following retirement in 2012, Roger enjoyed tinkering in his basement where he had his workshop making tables, shelves, trinkets and an extensive toy collection for his family. 

Roger’s health began to decline, however he enjoyed visits with his granddaughters and great-grandson Jack. Taking car rides with Curt and his “Coffee Talks” with Gloria gave him something to look forword to. Dialysis trips were a challenge, but the family made the most of their time spent together. When Melanie picked him up, there was the promise of a Dairy Queen dipped cone, a bag of chips or a trip to Runza.

In spite of Roger’s last few years of health concerns, he remained positive and had an incredible outlook on life. Among the many appointments, surgeries and ambulance rides, he never got upset or gave up. Roger always told his kids how very grateful he was for his family, especially Gloria and the love and dedication she showed him over the years. If we can learn anything from Roger it would be to laugh at jokes, be grateful, be positive, support each other and enjoy the life you’re given.

Preceding Roger in passing were his parents Frank and Fanny; brothers Wayne, Jimmy and Don; sister Betty and other relatives. Survivors include wife Gloria; son Curt (Kirsten) Cashatt; daughter Melanie Howard; granddaughters Autumn Cashatt; Shelbie Howard (Denver Holeton); great-grandson Jack Adams, extended relatives and friends.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Glenwood Volunteer Fire Association.