Transformative Educator
Roger was an inspirational speech instructor at Long Beach City College and, after retiring, a trusted and compassionate mentor at College of the Canyons, where his wife Dianne served as chancellor. He was well known around the College of the Canyons campuses, often attending Opening Days, Chancellor’s Circle, Silver Spur, Performing Arts Center shows, athletic events, and many other celebrations and gatherings. He enjoyed volunteering as a guest speaker for LEAP and professional development activities, and roasting and toasting Dianne at community events. Above all, he appreciated the chance to mentor students and employees alike. Doing so was a natural extension of his lifelong passion for teaching and his desire to help others realize their purpose and fulfill their passion. Dianne is one of those former students who frequently states that she never would have been who she is without Roger challenging her to take the road less traveled and supporting her every step of the way.
Roger Brought out the Best in People
Roger’s speech communications students at Long Beach City College said he had the “magical ability to bring out the best in all of us.” He retired for the last time in 2008 after a 43-year career in the classroom that inspired many to follow in his footsteps. Each of the full-time faculty members in the speech communications department at LBCC when he retired were his former students. And, among those who attended his retirement party were 46 of his former students who had become full-time professors at California Community Colleges or California State University campuses. Roger also taught upper-division courses at CSU Long Beach and graduate-level classes at the University of La Verne, and coached students on how to write resumes and prepare for interviews.
Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.
– Booker T. Washington
While at Long Beach, Roger authored multiple textbooks and coached a national championship forensics team. Seeing a need for more inclusivity on campus, he founded the Sisters of Soul sorority and Sons of Soul fraternity. He also launched the college’s sailing club and established LBCC’s free speech area. Not surprisingly, Roger received several well-deserved teaching awards at LBCC, but he was best known for the individual, lasting impact he made in the lives of others.
Writing about Roger for a “True Teacher” story in the Orange County Register decades after taking his class, former student Judy Norton credited him with giving her the confidence to finish her education. After failing out of Long Beach City College, and sitting out a year, Judy found herself in Roger’s class. She asked him to sign her grade check form, a condition of being allowed to re-enroll at LBCC. “I still remember the look on Mr. Van Hook’s face when I asked for his signature on that embarrassing form,” she wrote. “Judy, you’re on probation? Why? You know you can do this,” he said. From there, she made the dean’s list every semester and eventually applied to CSU Long Beach. When she received her acceptance letter, she proudly showed it to Roger.
Roger recognized the impact that community colleges can make on students because he was a graduate of Long Beach City College. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in speech communication from CSU Long Beach in 1966, followed by a master’s degree two years later.
After he began teaching at Long Beach City College, he had his own life-changing experience in a classroom there. A young woman walked in on the first day of a summer school speech class, promptly sat on the floor, and made it clear she didn’t want to be there. After the semester was over, teacher and student ran into each other again on his sailboat, an outing organized by one of Dianne’s fellow students who is now an attorney in Long Beach. This meeting was different.
Roger and Dianne hit it off, and a relationship soon developed. They were married – the first time – on Dec. 18, 1971, when they eloped to the Little Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas. Later, they planned a backyard wedding on Jan. 23, 1972, for 300 family and friends that included guitar players and popcorn machines, dancing, and telling stories. Dianne made her own dress and matching ties for Roger and her dad.
There was no time for a honeymoon, however, as the next day Roger was scheduled to begin a new spring semester at Long Beach City College, and Dianne was teaching her first-ever class at LBCC. They celebrated at the Chart House in Redondo Beach, enjoying a prime rib dinner with a beautiful sunset view, and returned almost every year since to celebrate the life they developed together.
Early Life: Drawn to Water
Roger was born Feb. 7, 1943, and grew up in Long Beach with his sisters Vicki, Cindy, and Bonnie. Water sports were a favorite family activity. A Long Beach Press Telegram story and photo featured 10-year-old Roger and his younger sister Vicki graduating from water ski school. He would go on to become an accomplished water skier, winning many racing trophies in Long Beach Marine Stadium. He also served as boat driver for his sister Vicki, who was crowned Women’s World Waterski Champion at age 16, with Roger behind the wheel.
If you had the pleasure of meeting Roger, you know that he was uncommonly patient, exceptionally kind, and truly generous. He was a wonderful conversationalist with a fantastic sense of humor. Known for inviting others in and bringing people together, he was an excellent listener who was genuinely interested in what was going on with you.
Roger was always generous with his time, and it meant so much to him that former students continued to seek his advice, often decades after leaving his classroom. Many employees at College of the Canyons also turned to him for wisdom and perspective, crediting his inspiration, encouragement, and support with expanding their vision of what they could accomplish in life.
While Roger is no longer with us, he remains alive in our hearts, our minds, and our spirit, giving us inspiration to follow his example and work to bring out the best in others, to be kind, to have fun, and help in some small way every day. Let’s start today.