Roger A. Scott, Lt. Colonel, USAF (Retired)
December ?, 1932 – April 03, 2025

Roger Alan Scott, Lt. Col. US Air Force (Ret.), 92, formerly of Newport News, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the W. T. Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, SC. A native of Manitowoc, WI, a shipbuilding town on the banks of Lake Michigan, he was the third son to Karl P. and Dorothy Witte Scott. As boys, Roger and his brother Karl would watch the new ships launch and dream of leaving the small town to see the world someday

Roger graduated from Lincoln High School in 1950, enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War and became an Aviation Cadet. Testing top of his class, Roger had his pick of flying careers. Instead of going to jets as expected, he chose a newer entry to the mix- Helicopters- and made a life of it. He returned to “Manty” in 1952 to marry his high school sweetheart, Margaret Adams, and began their lives and adventures together.

As a Command Pilot, Roger served as Air Rescue, Helicopter Instructor and Operations Officer collecting several medals of recognition during his career. Roger and Margie took full advantage of military life with tours in Germany twice, Texas and Nevada, Washington DC, (a year away to Vietnam) and finally in Hampton Roads at Langley AFB. They embraced the opportunities at each new venue – touring in Europe, collecting antique clocks in Germany, panning for gold and camping in Nevada. Along the way, the couple added seven children to the family. Roger continued to rise in his career, reaching the rank of Lt. Col. at Langley and becoming the top helicopter aviator at Tactical Air Command and NATO representative. He had an easy-going and optimistic demeanor and a reputation for treating everyone with respect and dignity that made him an effective leader. He held close the promise to be “an Officer and a Gentleman.” It looked like the next step was the Pentagon- and with all the kids settled in Newport News, Roger opted to retire at 20 years and was honorably discharged in 1972. He made Newport News the family home for more than 50 years.

But the adventures continued! Roger was offered a position in regional sales for Hughes Helicopters which included a helicopter for demonstrations to pending clients. He “hired” Margaret as his secretary, and they traveled together in the “demo” as he earned honors as a top sales rep for Hughes. Even after retiring from that position, Roger and Margaret continued their love of travel, visiting their children in different states and abroad for many years.

In his retirement years, Roger loved to write. He penned witty and detailed travel logs of his trips to Italy to visit daughter Karla and family, and vacations state-side too. He wrote limericks of events – like recovering from a broken hip in 2016. He even submitted some writings to a magazine in his later years.

Roger lost his beloved Margie in 2015, and for several years had the company of his children living with him at home. His devoted daughter, Bridget visited him almost every day, helping to soften the pain of loss. During covid, he moved to his son, Steven’s farm in Saluda, VA and sold his home in Newport News. In 2022, Roger moved to an independent living community in South Carolina to be near his daughter, Laura and her family.

Our dear father will be missed by so many whose lives he touched but especially the family left behind; Children, Steven Scott, Laura Mallard (Wes), Brian Scott (Andrea), Christopher Scott (Deborah), Karla Moore (Paul), Richard Scott (Connie), Son-in-law, Dwayne Paul; Grandchildren, Damian, Nicholas, Zachary, Nathan, Sacha, Morgan, Mason, Jessica, Kassie, Blake and Tyler – and their spouses and 13 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Roger to Eternal Life are the love of his life, Margaret A. Scott; daughter, Bridget C. Paul, and grandson, Kalin C. Scott; parents, Karl P. Scott and Dorothy Witte Scott; his brothers, Karl Scott, Richard Scott, and Jack F. Scott.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at Weymouth Funeral Home in Newport News with Funeral Services to begin at 2:00 p.m. with Reverend Nita May officiating. Interment with Full Military Honors will follow at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Blvd., Newport News, VA.

Friends and family, let’s raise a toast to Roger’s memory with a Reception on Saturday night, April 12, 2025 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 12742 Nettles Dr., Newport News, VA. Arrangements by Weymouth Funeral Home.