Roger Lee Quaintance, 11 Sep 1938 - 07 Dec 2023

QUAINTANCE, SCHOESSLER, SMITH

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 6/7/2024 at 15:32:27

Roger Lee Quaintance passed away peacefully on December 7, 2023, at the age of 85. Roger was born to Esther and Joseph Quaintance on September 11, 1938, one of four siblings who worked the farmland near Bartley, Nebraska.

Roger graduated in 1957 from Bartley High School before moving to Grandview, Wash., where he met Delta Schoessler. The two married on June 6, 1958, and began a life-long adventure together, gifted with two children, multiple careers, retirement, and residency in several states.

In 1959, Roger moved his family to Fairmont, Nebr., so he could work for his uncle building homes. Over the years he worked for York Grain Bins and Cyclonaire Corporation, both in Henderson. While at Cyclonaire, Roger received three patents for devices he designed.

He also volunteered in the community as the Scout leader for local Henderson Boy Scout Troop #172.

In 1982, while still working full time, Roger began learning the trade of artistic blacksmithing and ironwork. Roger and Delta attended and demonstrated at craft shows and arts festivals on the weekends. Roger was one of original founders of "Prairie Blacksmith Association". At that time, they were invited to establish their own business built around Roger's growing talents, so they moved to the Amana Colonies in Iowa to establish "Roger's Anvil", a workshop that sold hand-forged ironwork, including home accessories like fireplace tools and weathervanes. During his time as the namesake man behind the anvil, Roger also taught the art of blacksmithing to over 350 people of all ages, including an eager troop of Boy Scouts.

In 2003, The Amana Arts Guild awarded Roger the annual "Friend of the Arts" Award for reviving, teaching, and continuing the art of blacksmithing in Amana and the surrounding villages. Later that same year, Roger and Delta retired, sold the business, and moved into their 5th-wheel trailer where they lived full time, traveling across the country and escaping to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas whenever winter came.

For five years they attended the Pyrotechnics Guild International Convention and assisted with the making and lighting of multimillion strings of fireworks.

In 2008 they settled in Winter Ranch RV Resort in Alamo, Texas, and began limiting travel to a summertime activity.

In addition to blacksmithing, Roger continued his mastery of various forms of arts and creative endeavors, such as wood turning (pens, bowls, vases), wood carving, knitting, crocheting and stained-glass work. He also continually served as wood shop monitor, and as a handyman for those closest to him, creatively approaching every project and task with enthusiasm and a unique perspective on "how to fix the darn thing."

Roger is survived by his wife, Delta, of 65 years; their son, Randy Quaintance, of York; daughter, Debby Quaintance Smith of Lawrence, Kan.; and granddaughter, Megan Smith, of Kansas City, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and his granddaughter, Madison Smith.

A memorial Service FOR Roger took place on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Winter Ranch Resort in Alamo, Texas at 2:00 p.m. Friends and loved ones were encouraged to attend and share a memory of the quiet, Roger.

The family suggests memorials in his name be sent in care of Prairie Blacksmith Association Bruce Fells – Secretary Treasurer 525 J Road, Palmyra NE, 68418 402-540-4585.

Wishes of caring, support and comfort may be sent to: Delta Quaintance 1201 West Ridge Road, #214 Pharr, TX 78577.

Published in The Pioneer Republican on February 16, 2024.