Roger Henry Detwiler, ladies' man and bon vivant with great wit, died on November 25, 2013. Roger had a passion for food and was a gourmet cook with a gift for creating his own sauces. And when he wasn't cooking, he insisted on only the best prepared food. He always carried a spoon in his jacket pocket because he said, "I might run into something good to eat." He was eating one of his favorite foods when he took his last breath. A man about town in any town of the world, Roger had a penchant for striking up a conversation with anyone, whether man on the street or distinguished dignitary. While he was fond of saying the least expected in the middle of a conversation to garner a smile, he took particular pride in leaving the recipient of his words feeling on top of the world. And he took to heart the words spoken to him, tapping into them in his work which he described as an "observer and chronicler of the human condition". A photographer for all of his adult life, he had an eye for beauty that was more than skin deep, especially when it came to the ladies. He was drawn to smart women, but he never missed the opportunity to kiss the hand and compliment any of the ladies he met or knew. Yet he was devoted to the girl he said he fell in love with at first sight. Married for nearly 45 years to Lynn (Mazakas) Detwiler, she was often heard to say, "There isn't a day I don't feel loved or beautiful." He also loved to give advice whether or not it was sought. In particular, he was passionate about lifting up people's spirits, telling anyone, especially children, to never use the word "can't". "You can do and be anything you want," he said repeatedly. He applied this "can do" attitude in his recovery of a spinal cord injury. Wheeled into rehab to meet patients who suffered similar injuries, he said "Don't get up." Then he proceeded to lead them through the rehab regimen of the day to the tune of his favorite Motown song. From a family with a legacy of public service, Roger spent much of his time serving his community in the leadership of local governmental and non-profit organizations, including the North Penn American Red Cross, Souderton Borough Zoning Hearing Board, Souderton Borough Recreation Board, Indian Valley Arts Foundation, and Indian Valley Opportunity Committee, now part of the Keystone Opportunity Center. When asked about his work and family legacy, he would often quip "Well let's say, I know where all the bodies are buried." So that no one could include him in such a statement, he insisted on having his ashes scattered. Having grown up in Souderton, he returned to live on Main Street. There he spent the next 30 years restoring his Edwardian home and creating a nature retreat in his yard replete with pond, stream, water falls, and perennials. He also spent time there restoring his lap strake wooden boat which he sailed most evenings on Lake Nockamixon. He took pride in serving as a Marine Corp corporal in the Vietnam War. Having received a purple heart for the injuries sustained there and spending 18 months at the Philadelphia Naval Hospital with others suffering a similar fate, he took every opportunity to speak publicly and privately about the ravages of war in pursuit of spreading good karma. A free spirit and full of life, he had a certain disdain for funerals and feared that his remembrance ceremony would be a traditional one such as those rightly held for his father Henry S. Detwiler and mother Neva (Badertscher) Detwiler at their request. Therefore, his family is holding a private celebration of his life for family and friends without traditional trappings. Visitation will be held at Sadler-Suess Funeral Home, 33 N. Main Street, Telford, on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at 1:00 pm with a short service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to the Indian Valley Public Library. The family would like to thank all those in the military and in the surrounding medical community who cared for Roger with full hearts. And they also wish to thank those who gave Roger opportunities to carry on his family's legacy of service. This support and the help of his family and friends made it possible for Roger to live a full life.