Roger Steiger Obituary

Roger Arthur Steiger of Greensburg passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026. He was 86 years old. Roger was born on Dec. 29, 1939, in a log cabin on a dairy farm in Potosi, Wisconsin, to Arthur Charles Steiger and Mabel Catherine Grimesey. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin Platteville with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and chemistry. He received a PhD in physical chemistry from the University of Iowa. Roger worked hard his whole life, from helping on the farm to sharing a job with his brother Ron at a meat packing plant, to loading barges on the Mississippi River to Argon National Labs, and finally spending his career as a Senior Research Scientist at PPG Industries for 25 years mainly at the Barberton, OH, plant. He raised his family in Canal Fulton, OH, and was active in the community, holding school board and parish council positions, participating in the Jaycees and coaching his daughters' softball and basketball teams. He fought for what he believed in, especially when it came to his faith and family. On the weekends when he wasn't coaching, he could usually be found at Seneca Lake behind the wheel of his boat teaching family and friends how to water ski. After transferring to the PPG lab in Pittsburgh, Roger settled his family in Greensburg and, following his retirement from PPG, began a second career in real estate. He was Rookie of the Year his first year and approached his new calling with professionalism and enthusiasm. Roger never did anything halfway and was successful because of his commitment to excellence. He liked to say, "Once you know it, it's easy!" Roger was a great storyteller often relating his great adventures growing up on a dairy farm, going to a one-room schoolhouse, causing mischief with his brothers, or the countless softball and basketball games he coached for his three girls. Many of his stories involved blowing up tree stumps, trading places with his identical twin brother, and riding on cows. He was the keeper of memories and literally remembered everyone he ever knew at school, work, or play and could recite past games play by play. He was an avid University of Iowa Hawkeyes fan, never missing a game, whether it was football or men's or women's basketball. He would call his brother Ron back and forth during the games to discuss the plays and, in recent years, was joined by various family members who cheered along with him. Roger loved to golf, bowl, work out at the Aerobics Center, and participate in the Westmoreland Senior Games. Roger loved playing various games with his grandchildren, in particular croquet, Euchre, and Rummikub, and he enjoyed listening to his Spotify "playlist." He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Mabel Steiger; older brother, Terry Steiger; identical twin brother, Ron Steiger; and grandson, Sam Rizzo. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Penne Steiger; daughters, Kirstin (Bob) Cenk, Katherine Rizzo, and Julie (Ryan) Wilson; grandchildren, Cheyenne (CJ) Warren, Shane Cenk, Evan, Zoe, and Mia Rizzo, Dane and Nathan Pinelli, and Lila Wilson; sister, Carol Hird; sister-in-law, Mary Jo Steiger, wife of Terry; sister-in-law, Sherrie Steiger, wife of Ron; sister-in-law, Ann Pritchard; sister-in-law, Jane (Steve) Beckman; many nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom he enjoyed greatly. He was proud of his family and loved them unconditionally. Roger will be greatly missed by his many friends and family who loved him most. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church. Friends and family are invited to a luncheon in the church hall immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests with gratitude any memorial donations be directed in Roger's name to the Trisomy 18 Foundation or to Holy Cross Catholic Church 711 Depot St., Youngwood, PA 15697. Those who wish may also contribute by having a tree planted in his name. All arrangements are entrusted to ASHLEY D. X. NYE CREMATION CARE & FUNERAL HOME INC. Please visit our tribute wall at www.nyefuneralhome.com to leave a condolence or share a memory of Roger.