I was so sorry to hear about your dads passing. He was such a kind and compassionate person.

While I was little when I knew him, he was always so kind. 

Hi, I'm Kenny Nelson and I've been friends with Roger since first grade at Whig Hill grade school in Rockford, Illinois. I'm so sad to find out that Roger has died. I lived one street away from Roger, his mom and dad, three brothers and two sisters.

The other day I wondered why I hadn't heard from Roger. Usually one of us would call the other and we could talk and laugh and giggle for hours. And Roger alwasy reminded me of things I hadn't thought about for years. Sometimes we made it a three-way call.

I figured he was in the witness protection program, was sick or had died.  Now I know. It's so sad, a bunch of us were such close friend growing up. Me, Steven Franklin, Billy Coad and Steve Holcomb.

Over the years I've written Happy Birthday messages to Roger on different websites I'd make. I'll copy and paste some in the next days. Here's one. I think it's from 2009.

The Chief of Naval Operations just flagged a message to all the ships at sea: "Anchors Aweigh and Happy Birthday to Roger Burt. Give him a call or an e-mail. I know I will."

Roger this is your day. I want to wish you a Very Happy Birthday. When we were kids Roger Burt, Steve Holcomb, Steven Franklin, Billy Coad and I did everything together. We built huts; fished down at the creek; went swimming at Frickie's Farm or at Bare-Ass Beach. But we could never get Coad out of his pants. (To go swimming, of course.)

If Roger had tin can full of worms he was happy. Fishing license? What's that? We hunted the fields in search of pheasants, or rabbits or the elusive squirrel. And Roger always hunted with both hammers pulled back.

We made go-carts out of boards, and old wheels and stolen lawnmower engines. Learned how to smoke corn silk. Went dew worm picking in our backyards. Roger scared the carhops at Dog 'n Suds with fake blood and vampire teeth, or we'd hide in the trunk and sneak into the Robin Drive-In. We were good bad, not evil.

We played King of the Hill by the ditch. I'm remembering all the nights we spent eating tons of of popcorn and playing cards long into the night. Your parents sure put up with a lot of our midnight antics.

Let me join all of your friends and classmates in wishing you a Happy Birthday. I also wish the best of everything to you and your lovely and talented wife, Ann, and your whole family.

No agenda here-- just brotherly love and friendship. I'll see you down at the creek later. I'll just listen for your crazy giggle. Happy Birthday.

Anyway, I love Roger and all my "old best friends." My condolences and sincere sympathy to his kids, grandkids and brothers and sisters. Bye Bye Roger. See you later "down at the creek."

Kenny Nelson, pugo46@yahoo.com