Dr. Ivan Roger Edwards, known to many as "Doc," passed away Nov. 25, 2010, at Carson Tahoe Continued Care facility with family at his side.
Roger was born in the Black Hills in Belle Fourche, S.D., on Sept. 1, 1929, and raised in the small town of Vale, S.D., where he attended and graduated high school. He moved to San Bernadino, Calif., to attend junior college preparing to pursue his desire of becoming a veterinarian. After junior college he attended Colorado State University graduating in 1955 with a DVM degree.
After college he enlisted in the Army and served overseas for four years, where he met his future wife Ingeborg Thumann. It was some years later when the two of them became reunited in the United States and following a semi-long courtship, the two were married at Lake Tahoe and enjoyed a life together for more than 40 years. Ingeborg predeceased Roger in October 2000.
Roger practiced veterinary medicine at different veterinary hospitals, gleaning information along the way, until he opened his own practice in Lake Tahoe serving the Tahoe community for many years. Doc served with skill and compassion, treating pets without regard of the owners' ability to pay, being concerned only with the well-being of his patients. Extending sympathy and consideration were a natural part of his character. He gave many tireless hours serving as a board member and volunteer of the Lake Tahoe Humane Society offering his time and energy, professionally and personally, whenever and wherever needed.
In 1993 Doc retired from his practice and permanently moved to the Topaz Ranch Estates where both he and his wife continued adopting pets and taking in stray animals, assisting individuals in need, supporting humane causes, and enriching the lives of all who came in contact with them and to those who called them friends.
Roger was also a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 55 years, an active member of Rotary and active in his veterinarian college alumni group.
Roger was a loving and caring husband, father, brother, uncle, neighbor and friend and was loved and respected by all who knew him. He is survived by a special friend Sharon Sawyer, sister Betty Geierman, son Eric, grandniece and grandnephew Joelle and Neal Snook, great grandnieces Jennifer and Brittani, great grandnephew Michael, and numerous other relatives.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home in Gardnerville.