Roger Stark Macomber

Roger Stark Macomber died at home 12/27/24 after a long struggle with Benson's syndrome (posterior cortical atrophy). He grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from Inglewood High School. He went on to UCLA, where he completed his bachelor's and PhD in Chemistry. He was a post doc at Harvard, then went on to become a tenured professor of organic chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He published many research articles and several textbooks. During sabbaticals, he worked at the National Science Foundation and taught at the University of Hawaii. He also worked as a professional pilot flying chartered jets, a flight instructor, and even had a short stint flying for American Eagle airlines. His hobbies included sky diving, playing acoustic guitar (6 and 12 string--self-taught), singing, writing fiction, and most importantly, riding bicycles. He competed in hundreds of races, including the Senior Olympics, and biked all over France during vacations almost every summer. He knew about everything, could fix almost anything, and was always a little sad that he was too tall to be an astronaut with NASA.

Roger is survived by his wife, with whom he enjoyed many cycling trips to France, Sandra Macomber. His daughter, Roxanne (née Macomber) Allegretti, is a pediatrician in Virginia. He always encouraged her to be independent and to value intelligence and education (and was a great organic chemistry tutor when she was a pre-med). He was Grandpa Roger to two granddaughters, Eden and Vivian Allegretti, who fondly remember their wonderful grandfather reading and doing science experiments with them. He is also survived by his sister, Madeline (née Macomber) Patterson, and brother-in-law Brad Patterson.