Roger H. Damon Jr., 97, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., died peacefully at home on Spring Street on September 2, 2026, surrounded by love.
Roger was born on January 21, 1929, in Jersey City, N.J., the only child of Roger H. Damon Sr. and Clara Louise Bruce Damon. His mother died when Roger was 3, and when his father left for service during World War II, Roger was lovingly raised in Melrose, Mass., by his paternal grandparents, “Buppa” and “Mardie,” and his Aunt Amy. Their love helped shape the kind, curious, independent man Roger would become, with a deep devotion to family, friends and the outdoors.
Roger graduated from Melrose High School and from Norwich University in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering. At Norwich he developed his lifelong interests in mountain winter warfare, skiing and ski patrolling and met his future wife, Doris Katherine Jensen. They shared 65 years together, until Doris’ death in 2016. Roger later found love again and married Pam Dearborn in 2020, who was by his side during his final hours.
Following graduation, Roger was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and called to active duty during the Korean War. Stationed in Salzburg, Austria, he worked at the Austrian mountain training center while pursuing his love of skiing and climbing in the Alps. He continued his military career in the U.S. Army Reserve, ultimately attaining the rank of Colonel.
Roger and Doris settled in St. Johnsbury and raised their three daughters, Katherine, Linda and Amy. Roger enjoyed a long engineering career with Fairbanks Morse Scales, eventually managing its engineering department and contributing to innovations that resulted in multiple patents. He later became chief engineer at EHV Weidmann and continued as an engineering consultant after retiring in 1998.
Roger’s dedication to skiing and the National Ski Patrol was a defining part of his life. He joined the National Ski Patrol in 1947 and received his National Appointment #2835 in 1965, beginning an extraordinary 72-year journey of service, teaching, mentoring and leadership. He served as patrol director at Burke Mountain and patrolled at Norwich University’s ski hill, Bolton Valley and Mount Washington.
An emergency care and avalanche instructor, Roger was a pioneer in avalanche education in the Eastern Division, developing and teaching some of the National Ski Patrol’s first basic and advanced avalanche courses in the East. His passion for snow and avalanches extended into snow science, research, publications and presentations at international conferences. In 1996, he presented a paper at the first international avalanche conference held in Russia.
Roger’s contributions were recognized with the National Ski Patrol Distinguished Service Award in 2016, the Yellow Merit Star, the Eastern Division Outstanding Instructor Award and the National Silver Merit Star for his work in avalanche education. In 2013, the Eastern Division established the Roger H. Damon Jr. Eastern Division Avalanche Award in his honor, with Roger as its first recipient. The award recognizes outstanding and continuing contributions to avalanche education and the Eastern Division’s Avalanche Program.
His National Ski Patrol service concluded with more than 40 years with the Mount Washington Volunteer Ski Patrol, much of it involving demanding climbs, descents and rescues in Tuckerman Ravine. He retired from active patrol in 2018 at age 89 because, according to Roger, being a ski patroller at 90 was “ridiculous.” But he never really stopped being a patroller at heart. He continued teaching and mentoring generations of patrollers and sharing his knowledge and love of skiing and the mountains. Even in his final days, conversations returned to skiing, patrolling, snow conditions and Tuckerman Ravine.
Skiing remained a lifelong passion. Roger made his final turns on his 95th birthday, skiing with his family and, true to form, beating his granddaughter down the hill.
Roger was also an accomplished climber and mountaineer. In 1962, he and fellow climbers Dan Brodien and Andy Fisher made the first ascent of the Lakeview Route on Cannon Cliff following a major rockfall. He climbed throughout New Hampshire, the Cascade Range, Greenland and Mexico and helped organize one of the region’s first formal mountain search-and-rescue groups, the Mountain Rescue Service in North Conway. He participated in rescues of hikers and climbers in difficult terrain, combining his love of the mountains with a commitment to helping others enjoy them safely.
Roger’s love of the outdoors extended to flying, biking, camping, travel, hiking and backpacking. He summited New Hampshire’s 48 4,000-footers numerous times, in both summer and winter, and was a steadfast volunteer for the Appalachian Mountain Club, receiving the AMC Community Builder Award in 2019.
Roger was particularly devoted to AMC Cold River Camp in North Chatham, N.H. His connection began there as a child in 1932. He later worked on the Croo, served as a hike leader and committee member, and remained a dedicated volunteer throughout his life. He loved the mountains, especially the Baldfaces, and the community at Cold River Camp, passing that love on to his children and grandchildren. Even at age 87, he completed the more-than-10-mile Baldface Circle once again.
Roger loved to read and was a published author, contributing articles on the outdoors, aviation, skiing and snow science. In 2014, he published his novel, The Third Watch. He was, in every sense, a Renaissance man — an engineer, pilot, ski patroller, climber, teacher, explorer, writer, musician, outdoorsman and volunteer. More than anything, he loved sharing what he knew.
Roger leaves behind a remarkable legacy — not only in the many things he accomplished but in the countless people with whom he shared his knowledge, enthusiasm, humor and love of life. He taught those around him to be curious, to keep learning, to get outside, to try something new and to lend a hand when someone needed it. His children and grandchildren carry forward his love of the mountains and the outdoors, his sense of adventure, and his belief that life is best lived fully and shared generously. Roger lived 97 years with purpose, curiosity and an extraordinary zest for life. He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered, and forever present in the mountains, trails, skies and stories he loved so well.
Roger is survived by his wife, Pamela Dearborn, of St. Johnsbury; and his daughters, Amy and her husband, Timothy Grover, of Bolton, Vt., and their children, Ted and Miranda; Linda Damon of Shelburne, Vt.; and Katherine and her husband, Casimiro Izquierdo, of Chantilly, Va., and their children, Gabriela and Casey. He also leaves behind many extended family members, friends, and generations of people whose lives he touched through his teaching, mentoring, volunteer service and lifelong love of the outdoors.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club, 10 City Square, Suite 2, Boston, MA 02129. Please note that the donation is specifically for AMC Cold River Camp.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, 5 to 7 p.m., at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer St., St. Johnsbury. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 19, 2026, 1 p.m., at United Community Church, 1325 Main St., St. Johnsbury. A reception will follow at Roger’s home, 25 Spring St., St. Johnsbury.
Memories and condolences may be shared with family at saylesfh.com.
This article appears in September 9 • 2026.