Roger King, a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose career helped shape the landscape of American national security, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2026. He was 74.

Born on May 11, 1951, in North Muskegon, Michigan, he was the beloved son of Doris (Cooper) King and Jack King of North Muskegon. He grew up on the shores of Bear Lake, where summers were spent fishing for salmon and lake trout alongside his father a tradition that would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Roger graduated from Purdue University in 1973, the same year he married the love of his life, Shirley (Bruce) King. He went on to earn his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1978, where he also discovered a lifelong passion for aquatic life, raising fancy guppies and African cichlids during his graduate years.

He joined MIT Lincoln Laboratory and later Linquest Corporation, where he spent a distinguished career designing sophisticated military communication satellites. Among his proudest achievements was his contribution to the very first Milstar satellite ever launched — a milestone in American defense communications. His work was quiet by necessity, but its impact on the safety and security of the United States was profound.

In 1978, Roger and Shirley settled in Lexington, Massachusetts, where they built a full and happy life together over 53 years. Every summer brought the family to Orleans on Cape Cod, where he pursued bluefish and striped bass with the same patience and joy he had learned as a boy. His Koi pond in Lexington was a point of quiet pride, and his love of science fiction books, films, and television alike was a constant thread through his life. He was also an avid photographer with a keen eye for the world around him.

Roger is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Shirley King; his son, Alexander King; his daughter, Christina Bennani-Persechini and her husband Ron Persechini; and his cherished grandsons, Adam Bennani and Rodney Persechini. He is also lovingly remembered by a dear extended family of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews in Vermont.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in his memory to Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln, Massachusetts, whose compassionate care meant so much to the family.

A funeral service will be held Friday May 1st  at the Douglass Funeral Home, 51 Worthen Rd. Lexington at 4pm. Visitation at the funeral home immediately prior to the service from 3pm to 4pm. Relatives and friends are kindly invited.