LTC (Ret) Roger Allen Pruter was born June 12, 1946 in Hays, KS the ninth and youngest child of Everett, SR, and Dorothy Pruter. He grew up on a farm in rural Osborne County, KS and attended Natoma schools for 12 years graduating in 1964. Upon graduation Roger attended Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS, until the summer of 1966 when he was drafted into the US Army. In November Roger left for Ft Leonardwood, MO, for basic training followed by Advanced Individual Training at Ft Lewis, WA. Roger was selected to attend Officers Candidate School at Ft Benning, GA, from May through November. 2LT Roger Pruter served with the sixth division at Ft Campbell, KY until October 1968. On February 25, 1968 Roger married Beverly Charlene Workman at the United Methodist Church in Natoma, KS. In October 1968 Roger departed for a tour in the Republic of Vietnam, serving with the fourth division until October 1969. From November 1968 to November 1970 Roger served with the first division at Ft. Riley, KS. On August 22, 1970 Toni Renee joined the family at Ft. Riley, KS. In November 1970, Captain Roger Pruter resigned from the U.S. Army and moved to Hays, KS, where he completed a Bachelors degree in Economics in December 1972. During this time, Roger served in the Kansas Army National Guard. Upon graduation, Roger went to work in Topeka, KS, for the Kansas Legislature in the Post Audit division. In March 1973, Roger returned to active duty to attend the Army's advanced course at Ft. Benning, GA. In May 1974, Roger moved his family back to Topeka where he was the Military Personnel Officer to the Adjutant General Kansas National Guard. On December 13, 1974 the Pruter family grew to five with the birth of their twins, daughter, Tara Robin and son, Timothy Roy. In March 1975, Roger was re-assigned to Ft. Riley, KS until April 1979 when he moved his family to Ft. Devens, MA, until 1981 when they moved to Fairfax, VA, while LTC (Ret) Pruter was stationed in Washington, DC at the Pentagon with the National Guard Bureau. In December 1983, Roger moved back to Topeka, Kansas where he was the Battalion Commander, second Battalion 137th Infantry. June 1986, Roger relocated his family to Ft. Leavenworth, KS. In November 1989, Roger made his last and final move to Lansing, KS, where in 1990 he retired from the US Army. For the next twenty-five years Roger spent his time working for various Defense Contractors at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. During this time, his family grew to include four grandchildren which he enjoyed watching in their various activities. In April 2014, Roger finally retired to spend his days with his wife. On September 9, 2014, Roger was diagnosed with Leukemia from which he passed away January 17, 2016 peacefully at home with his family by his side. He is survived by his wife of 47 years and 11 months, Beverly of the home, Daughter Toni Pruter of Lansing, KS, Daughter Tara Boydstun (Benjamin) of Spring Hill, KS, Son Tim Pruter (Jennifer) of Shawnee, KS, Granddaughters Courtney and Caitlyn Rexroat, Grandsons Spencer and Tanner Pruter, Step Grandsons Andrew, Benjamin Jr, and Caleb, Brother Don Pruter of Cheyenne, Wy, Sister Grace Lewis of Osborne, KS, Mother-in-law Betty Workman of Lansing, KS, Brother-in-law William Workman, Jr, of Natoma, KS. Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Roger was preceded in death by his Father, Everett Pruter Sr. and Mother, Dorothy Pruter. Brothers: Arvin, Leonard, Everett Jr. and Ronald Pruter. Sisters: Betty Corwin and Neola Cordick. Niece Lindsay Pruter and Nephews Gary Corwin and Bradley Pruter, Father in law William Workman Sr, and Brother in law Robert Workman.
Funeral services will be on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 starting at 1pm at Westside Family Church (8500 Woodsonia Drive, Lenexa, Kansas 66227-3137). There will be no gravesite service. After the funeral there will be a short reception.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westside Family Church or Youth for Christ (https://yfc.givingfuel.com/30631). (Please copy and paste the URL into your browser.)
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