WDHA Remembers Our Friend Roger Keyser From Eleventh Hour Rescue
Photo Credit Joe Frazz
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news of the passing of one of our own at WDHA.
While Roger Keyser didn’t actually work at WDHA, we considered him part of our rock family as he was the heart and soul behind WDHA’s association with Eleventh Hour Rescue in Randolph.
I met Roger back in 2010 when I returned to WDHA and I started Rock N’ Ruff. He was the happiest, friendliest, most devoted to a cause person ever and came to become a great friend to all of us. He was constantly here with dogs and cats for the Rock N’ Ruff program, taping segments and videos with me and of course the main organizer of Puptoberfest every year.
Roger was so dedicated to every single animal who made their way through the rescue and had a special connection with one Rock N’ Ruffer named Charlie Bones who not only became Roger’s dog and constant companion but was also featured in our WDHA Ultimate Rock Dog Calendar. We always tried to come up with creative ideas on how to get these shelter animals noticed AND involve rockers in our mission. He really taught me about shelter work, commitment, and how to stay focused on the mission of pet adoption. Roger LOVED music as well and was always hitting me up in the All Request Lunch Hour and became friends with so many of our DJs. He was a HUGE Curtis Kay fan and took it hard when we lost our Curtis in 2020.
Roger helped so many people find their forever family members and donated so much of his time to the rescue at events, their shelters, and various adoption locations. In fact, I know countless WDHA listeners that Roger helped with adoptions including our own staffer Chris Swendeman who adopted his dog Lzzy from EHR.
Most recently he was at WDHA when he found out that the amazing guys in Theory of A Deadman raised close to ten thousand dollars for the Eleventh Hour as part of their Giving Tuesday initiative. I gathered the band and Roger here so he could thank them in person less than six months ago. It was a spectacular day for all of us. Roger was supposed to come to WDHA’s Rock the Rock Fest to represent the rescue, but unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer shortly before the show.
Roger was so brave and positive. He told me “If I’m having a good day I’m coming to Dog Days Of Summer at Dover Dodge TC!”.
He did come. He was undergoing chemo and had some trouble walking and only stayed a short time, but he wanted to show his support. It was a glorious moment seeing him.
Roger lost his battle this week. We will never forget him. Nor with the countless animals, families, and communitiesEleventh Hour Rescue that he touched.
Rest Easy Rog- I hope you are with Charlie Bones again…….You are missed already……
Terrie Carr and the staff at WDHA
