Roger W. Lalk

Roger William Lalk, 91, of Oshkosh, passed away on May 18, 2026. Born and raised in Fort Atkinson in 1935, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and a master’s degree from UW–Madison. At Lawrence, he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, directed the Beta choir, and performed in multiple ensembles.

After serving in the U.S. Army and Reserves, Roger began shaping young musicians as band director at Merrill Middle School in 1958. In June of that year, he married Verna Nadig, and together they shared a wonderful 67‑year marriage. In 1972, he became band director at Webster Stanley Middle School, where generations of students remember him fondly for his high standards and the joy he brought to music education. He retired in 1990 after more than three decades of teaching.

Roger was a charter member of the Oshkosh Brass Quintet and played a key role in forming the Oshkosh Community Band. He performed with the Oshkosh Symphony and played in pit orchestras for high school musicals. He also enjoyed playing trumpet at the weddings of former students.

A longtime member of First United Methodist Church, Roger sang in the choir, served on committees, and directed the choir for seven years. In retirement, he and Verna spent winters in Florida where he continued sharing his gift by directing the chorus at the Gardens Retirement Community in Parrish and sang in a barbershop quartet.

He enjoyed woodworking, biking, playing bridge and cribbage, traveling, restoring old cars, and watching his grandson, Brandon, play baseball. He was president and secretary of Central Wisconsin Auto Collectors and a member of the Model T Ford Club International. He was also a member of Wisconsin Retired Music Masters and both the State and National Education Associations.

Roger is survived by his wife, Verna; children Brian Lalk, Lynelle (Jon) Weisz, and Carrie (David) Sowiak; grandchildren Brandon (Mackenzie) Lalk and Samantha Weisz; and great‑grandson Bennett Roger Lalk. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Alice (Kenneth) Mummé.

A memorial service for Roger will be held at First United Methodist Church, 700 W. Linwood Ave., Oshkosh, on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 3:00 pm. Visitation will take place 1:00 – 3:00pm. Inurnment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Oshkosh, Dogs Inc. (dogsinc.org, 4210 77th St E, Palmetto, FL 34221) or the Oshkosh Area Community Band (P.O. Box 2931 Oshkosh WI 54903).