Obituary of Roger H Blackwood

Roger H. Blackwood, 88, of Troy Michigan, passed away February 20, 2010 at his home. He was born June 8, 1921 in Detroit Michigan to Fred Harrison Blackwood and Bessie Mae Blackwood. Roger grew up in Detroit and moved to Rosedale Park in 1935. He graduated from Redford High in 1939 and went on to graduate in 1943 with a Business Administration degree from Michigan State University, then known as Michigan State College. He was president of his Sophomore class and member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Roger served in the US Army from 1943 to 1946 as a Second Lieutenant based in Ft. Riley, Kansas. He attended OCS at Ft. Hood and graduated as 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. He was then assigned to the Calvary Replacement Training Center at Ft. Riley, KS. Summer of 1943 he was shipped out to Ft. Ord to prepare for overseas duty. On the way to invade Japan, the bomb was dropped and the war was over. He returned to Ft. Riley in 1950 when the Korean War broke out. Roger grew up in the real estate world, taking over his father's real estate business, the Fred Blackwood Company, in 1946, when his father passed away. On August 20, 1948 Roger married Barbara Louise Cavan in Detroit. She preceded Roger in death in February 2000. In 1953 Roger developed Charnwood Hills subdivision in Troy, Michigan and built a house where he and Barbara raised their family. A successful Real Estate broker for over 60 years, Roger dba Blackwood Associates, was responsible for assembling large parcels for local developers, working with Pulte Homes, Rescoe, Inc., and Biltmore Properties and Ranch Homes. Roger was known for his integrity in all business relationships and was highly sought after for his extensive knowledge of the Detroit metropolitan area. He taught Real Estate Appraisal classes at Oakland University from 1964-1968. In 1968, as the 1st Vice President of the Detroit Board of Realtors he signed up the most new members ever and in 1969 he was elected President of that Board. As President of the Board he was responsible for facilitating the "Make America Better" campaign. Under Roger's leadership the Board won 1st place nationally in 1969 by activating the largest number of the 43 proposals for action. He was instrumental in the fight against discrimination in housing and the illegal practice of "steering". He was responsible for the "Light the Night" anti-crime promotion right after the riots to encourage people to leave their porch lights on at night. In 1970 he chaired the National Association of Realtors committee to address the problem of re-selling HUD homes. The committee's recommendations were presented to HUD and adopted. In the early 1970's Roger chaired the National Association of Realtors Equal Opportunity Committee and developed the Affirmative Marketing Agreement. He was a long standing Member of the Appraisal Institute (MAI) and a State Certified Appraiser, often testifying in court as an expert witness as to the value of certain properties. He provided appraisals to the Michigan Highway Department for the proposed I-75 Right of Way corridor. Roger was very active in the exclusive Detroit Answer Club until 2 months before his death, always insightfully commenting on current issues, according to his peers. Roger travelled extensively within and outside the United States with Barbara for 50 years and then with his dear friend Mary Ashcraft. As members of the Nomads, a Detroit traveling group, they travelled all over England, Ireland, Europe, Scandinavia, Turkey, Egypt and Mexico. In 1956 Roger and Barbara were one of the 10 founding families of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, a mission of Christ Church Cranbrook. He served as Chairman of the Land Acquisition Committee and then Chairman of the Building Committee for the new church. The church was completed in 1961. Roger served on the Vestry for many years. Golf was one of Roger's passions. He started golfing after World War II in 1946 and in 1971 joined Forest Lake Country Club and became serious about the game, playing in numerous tournaments and winning the Club Invitational in 1982. Roger wrote poems for most every occasion; most still treasured by the recipients. Late in life at the age of 80, Roger began taking piano lesson, his favorites were the old Ira Gershwin tunes. Loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Roger is survived by his daughters Nancy Blackwood, Boulder, CO and Sally Blackwood, San Fransico, CA; Son, Roger Blackwood Jr., Wixom, MI; 3 grandchildren, Jessie Newell (Kennith), Springfield, OR, Toby Kremple, Seattle, WA and Sarah Kremple, Rohnert Park, CA.; 3 great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Alyssa and Ryan Newell, and his dear friend, Mary Ashcraft. Roger touched the lives of so many people. He will be sorely missed. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday March 13 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 5500 Adams Road, Troy, MI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Beaumont Hospice, 1200 Stephenson Hwy., Troy, MI 48083