Roger Philip Hamburg

Roger Hamburg, PhD, 88, passed away November 24, 2022 from a degenerative neurological condition.

A retired political science professor whose knowledge of history, world events and baseball rivaled experts, Roger was also a proud husband, father, grandfather and cherished friend to many.

Born in Davenport, Iowa to Geraldine and Abe Hamburg on June 19, 1934, he spent most of his youth in Chicago before becoming a professor. A South Bend resident since 1971, he valued being a South Bend Rotary member and treasured his many friendships with former students and colleagues at Indiana University South Bend.

Roger was a Phi Beta Kappa honor society member and a lover of music and travel. An avid piano player himself, Gershwin and Cole Porter were among his favorite artists. His professional conferences allowed him to travel internationally to Russia, Spain and Argentina, among other destinations.  He also enjoyed travel with his wife.

His undergraduate degree was from the University of Michigan where he met his wife, Sally, his Master’s degree from the University of Chicago and his PhD from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. 

 His first teaching job was at the University of Washington system, followed by a position at Marquette University, then the University of Wisconsin system. He retired from Indiana University, at South Bend in 1999 after teaching political science there for nearly 30 years.      

Roger is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sally; children, Phillip (Holly) of Northbrook, Illinois, Ruth (Michael) of Las Vegas, and Joel of South Bend; along with grandsons, Jake and Adam Hamburg, both students at University of Wisconsin in Madison. 

The family extends gratitude to friends, Temple Beth El and individuals  who provided love and care during Roger’s illness, including Edith Grandison and her devoted staff at Wedgwood Pines, Home  Instead Senior Care, caregivers, Mary  and Brenda  plus Stephanie , Alex and Evan of Sarell Case Management and in his final days, Southern Care Hospice who provided exceptional care.

A private service was held on Tuesday, November 29, 2022. The recorded funeral may be viewed at:  http://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/wHk7coGuoOyeBatmYs0lEj4veIQfJiEHptFjvuFzNgfcr_1XeWSMzyUNG9noUr8i.xqU1tslt1Gyin6Rv?startTime=1669737538000
Passcode: 2#H&8^w1

No flowers please, donations may be made to Logan Community Resources, Temple Beth-El or The Jewish Federation, of St. Joseph Valley.

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