Roger Curtis Riner

Roger Curtis Riner quietly passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 in the Medical ICU of Lynchburg General Hospital after several years of battling COPD.  Roger was born on October 11, 1949 in Charlottesville, to Dorothy Wood Riner and the late Lt. E. Curtis Riner.  He is survived by his younger sister Kathryn "Kathy" Riner Baer.   He was predeceased by his devoted brother in law, Edward "Ed" Baer.

Roger was active in DeMolay as a teen and obtained several levels of excellence.  He graduated from E C Glass in the Class of 1969 and continued his education by attending Virginia Tech "Go Hokies" as part of the engineering class of 1972.  He headed for Culpeper where he worked as the Assistant District Materials Engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation until he retired in 2009.   Roger's superior said that Roger was an encyclopedia of information at his job.   In 2003 his team won the Commissioners Award of Excellence.  Roger returned to Lynchburg to be near his family until his death.

Growing up Roger learned the fine art of fishing on Smith Mountain Lake and wading thru the Tye and Piney Rivers with his father, Curtis Riner.   He continued his love of fishing on Lake Anna near Culpeper.  Roger was very proud of the several Citation Bass that he caught thru the years and displayed them in his home.   Roger was meticulous and patient as he put together intricate models of tall ships, sailing vessels and antique automobiles.

Roger was survived by his niece, Michelle Baer Gray and her husband, William "Billy" Gray and great nephews, Jordan Michael Gray and Dylan Edward Gray.

Memorial donations are encouraged to be made to Gleaning for the World, P.O. Box 645 Concord, VA 24538.

Visitation will be held Sunday May 22, 2011 from 2:00-4:00p.m., at the Tharp Funeral Home on Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg VA.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.