Friends, family remember former economics instructor as teacher, role model

Katie Philp, wife of the late Roger Trenary, looks back at family members during Trenary's memorial service Saturday. Speakers at the memorial reflected on Trenary's life and the influence he had on many students and faculty members.


K-State president Jon Wefald fights back tears while talking about Roger Trenary. Wefald and Trenary were tennis partners and Wefald said Trenary would be remembered as one of the best instructors in K-State history.


Roger Trenary's wife, Katie Philp, and son, Ben, right, greet guests at Trenary's memorial Saturday afternoon in All Faiths Chapel. Trenary died Tuesday after a 3 1/2-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.


Mike Butler, Manhattan resident, remembered his close friend Trenary with humor in a memorial Saturday afternoon at All Faiths Chapel. Trenary, former economics instructor, died early Tuesday morning at age 60 after a 3 1/2-year battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Butler recalled a plane ride returning from a European vacation during which Trenary ate all of his purchased chocolates out of fear customs officials would make him discard them.

"This man truly loved chocolate," Butler said. "His idea of a nightcap was a cup of coffee and chocolate."

Five close friends and family members presented statements in Trenary's honor during the memorial. President Jon Wefald said he met Trenary during his first year at K-State in 1986. The two soon became close friends and frequently played tennis together. After Trenary's diagnosis, Wefald said Trenary never complained about his illness.

"How many people do you know who'd find out they had a serious affliction like Lou Gehrig's disease and not whine and complain?" Wefald said. "I know I speak for everyone here that we all love Roger, and we're all going to miss him."

During his 29-year teaching career, Trenary taught about 24,000 students in beginning and intermediate-level economics courses. Though such records are not kept, Wefald said Trenary might have taught the most students ever by an instructor at K-State. He continued teaching until fall 2005.

"When Roger retired from economics, he continued to teach all of us about life, strength and dignity," said Nancy Philp, Trenary's sister-in-law.

Trenary also taught his students how to think critically, a skill they will remember beyond economics, said Robert Shoop, professor of educational leadership and Trenary's close friend.

"I think our real challenge is to meet up to Roger's standards of what it means to be a great partner, parent and friend," Shoop said.

Trenary is survived by his wife, Katie Philp; son, Ben, senior in secondary education and his fiancée, Trisha Gott; twin brother, Robert; and his mother.

Upon hearing of Trenary's illness, former students helped raise a portion of the $600,000 endowment for the Trenary Chair in Economics. Lloyd Thomas, head of the Department of Economics, said the chair will be filled in fall 2008 with an instructor whose emphasis is on teaching and students.

"We will never find another Roger Trenary, but we will do our best," Thomas said. "Farewell, Roger, and congratulations on a life well-lived. We will never forget you and the contributions you made to the lives of students."