Age 61 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, got one on and he had to follow it to the end. Thus, he was called Home after a brief illness, on October 4. A lifelong resident of west Michigan and too fascinated with the state to leave it, he attended Rogers High School in Wyoming, Michigan and GRCC. While still in college, he began working for Gordon Food Service; where he continued to work for more than 35 years, until his illness earlier this year. Roger was an avid fisherman, planning his vacations around the fishing seasons, referencing farmers almanacs and old maps gathered in hours spent with fisher folk who knew how to land the big one. An all expenses paid vacation in some tropical paradise was no competition for a week in freezing rain on the Pere Marquette hip deep in icy water when the chinook were running. Or lugging the auger onto Reeds Lake for some ice fishing. Or catching crappie or bluegill just because it was Tuesday. He tied his own flies for trout season, and while we may not know how effective they were, they were beautiful tiny pieces of art. Another passion was rock collecting. He would trudge out to the middle of nowhere in the north to find some Petoskey stones, fossils and agates. He would have loved to be the guy who found the big 93 pounder a few weeks ago, and would have rallied everyone he knew to help him get it home. He loved showing off his finds to his grandchildren, telling elaborate stories on where and how he found them and the history of First Nations mineral magic. Elaborate stories! Roger was such a Storyteller. He could spin a tale that made you think it was true, even if it defied logic, physics, or the rules of the known universe. Rules he used to defy the culinary laws or meat. Oh, how he loved to cook! Whether it was for two people or two thousand. Roger was in his glory in front of a grill. Even if he wasn't the host, he would volunteer to man the grill for his friends, and they were happy to pass the tongs. You could look over at him, surrounded by smoke and heat and watch the sheer joy of it play across his face. Roger's perfect day would have been fishing in the morning, rock hunting in the afternoon and finishing the day with family and friends around the grill. Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Elizabeth Hovarter of Wyoming, Michigan. He is survived by :sisters Anita (Hovarter of Woming, MI, Grace Rosenbaum and nephew Zachary of Ishpeming, MI. Carrying on the stories is his daughter Meredith (Choocharoon) Hovarter of Seattle, WA, volunteering for massive events beyond her scope and pulling of food magic daughter Morgan (Sweetie-cutie-punkin-face) Hovarter of Kentwood, MI and lifelong friend, fishermen, laughter master, card crusher, his son Will (I got the tongs) Hovarter of Cedar Springs. The stars of his stories and aging were his granddaughters, Harlow Hovarter, Sunie Babson, grandson Skyler Babson, who he loved more than all the rocks, fish, or cooking. A celebration of Roger's life will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday October 17th at Kentwood Community Church, 1200 60th St. in Grand Rapids. The family will meet with friends on Thursday, October 15th in the church artrium from 5:00-7:00 PM. Please come dressed casual or dressed to fish. In lieu of flowers the family will be accepting donation to set up a charity in his honor. Storyteller Fisherman, Rock Hound King of the Entree, Father, Grandpa, brother, best friend, prankster. You will be loved and missed forever.