Roger L. Merrill

Roger L. Merrill of Columbus, Ohio born August 15, 1917, died February 10, 2014. Preceded in death by parents Ruth ( Wickcliff) Merrill and Lee Merrill; sister Alice White; wife of 51 years Esther Elizabeth (Liz) Merrill; wife of 13 years Martha Globe Merrill; daughter Elizabeth Russell and son-in-law Tom Clark. Survived by current wife Eleanor Linn Merrill; daughters Jan Clark of Marysville; Christina (David) Steel of Grandview Heights; Katherine Merrill (Clark Breugger) of Yellow Springs; Bobbi Lemon of Columbus; step-children Barb and Aly Badawy of Pinehurst, NC; Merry and Joel McCuen of Dublin; and Jeff and Bridgett Linn of Canal Winchester. He is also survived by and the proud grandfather of 15 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, and 8 great great grandchildren. Roger was born in Columbus, Ohio and graduated from South High school in 1935. He obtained his BS in electrical engineering (1939) and his MS in electrical engineering (1948) both from Ohio State University. He played trumpet in various dance bands during college including The Chuck Selby Band. Mr. Merrill was employed by Battelle Memorial Institute from 1949 until his retirement in 1979. During that period he served in various research and management positions. Immediately prior to his retirement he served as Corporate Director, Special Programs for Battelle. Prior to that assignment he served as Director of Battelle's Columbus Laboratories with a staff of some 2500 scientists, engineers, and supporting specialists. Mr. Merrill's experience includes research in electronics, control systems, and computers. His name appears on 18 U.S. and foreign patents. Prior to joining Battelle, he was employed by Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Airplane Division, where he was engaged in research on inertial-guidance systems and on control systems development. During World War II, he served with the Signal Corps in telephone-systems development and as an enemy equipment intelligence officer in the India-Burma Theater, attaining the rank of Major. During his career Mr. Merrill has served in various capacities on a number of public Boards and Professional associations including: Franklin University, Board of Trustees, Academy for Contemporary Problems, Board of Overseers Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce I-670 Policy Board, Director Junior Achievement, Board of Directors, Delta Dental Plans, Board of Directors , American Defense Preparedness Association, Industrial Preparedness Division, Chairman American Association for the Advancement of Science, Fellow Institute of Electronic and Electrical Engineers, Senior Member. He also served as Board of Deacons Brookside Presbyterian Church and the Board of Elders and Board of Trustees at Boulevard Presbyterian Church. Roger travelled extensively throughout the world and was an avid wood worker. He also built his own stereo, first color tv and a grandfather clock. He taught himself and his girls how to sail and owned a Thistle and was a member of Leatherlips Yacht Club. He was a huge jazz enthusiast and a big fan of the Columbus Jazz Arts Group. He also volunteered his time with the Metro Parks. A Memorial Service will be held 3:00 pm Sunday, February 16, 2014 at RUTHERFORD-CORBIN FUNERAL HOME, 515 High St., Worthington, OH 43085 where friends may call from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm service time. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Columbus Metro Parks or the Audubon Society.