George Roger Schoenhals was born March 8, 1939 in Huntington, Indiana to Mildred and Lawrence Schoenhals. He joined Stephanie in the family, a friend for life and adoring older sister. Raised in a home filled with faith and music, Roger had plenty of love to cushion the falls of his rambunctious and mischievous childhood. He never lost his hunger for adventure.

After graduating from Queen Anne High School, he attended Seattle Pacific College. Over the summer, while manning the Granite Mountain Fire Lookout, he was compelled to read the gospel of Matthew, surely an answer to his parents' prayers when they gifted their son the small Bible to carry up the mountain with him. Over the next months, the sparks of faith grew and Roger embraced God's grace for his greatest adventure of all—a lifelong journey walking with Jesus.

After college he enrolled at Biblical Seminary in New York and at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky. During this time, he began a pastoral internship at Ferndale Free Methodist Church in Michigan, where a young woman named Sandra Quantrell was helping lead the youth group. That summer he gained more than ministry experience—he met the love of his life who would be his companion for the next 58 years!

Roger and Sandy married on August 15, 1964. Seven years into their marriage, while pastoring in Ellensburg, baby Jonathan was born. Soon after, the little family moved, along with their malamute dogs, to Warsaw, Indiana. There they welcomed daughter Sara, and eventually Anna and Julia. During the family's years in Indiana, Roger worked in publishing for the Free Methodist denomination and planted a church. These were special years, with proximity to family and a rich community of friends.

In 1980, Roger moved his family to the Seattle area where he would pastor North City (now Shoreline) Free Methodist Church. While his pastor's heart and investments in the local church never diminished, his vocation shifted a few years later toward charitable gift planning.  Roger served as the Director of Planned Giving at Seattle Pacific University and in 1990 launched his own business and publication, Planned Giving Today, from the family's dining room table in Richmond Beach. His entrepreneurial spirit and gifts as a compelling author and communicator had an indelible impact on the industry and community of charitable gift planners across the United States and Canada.

With their children grown and off on their own adventures, Roger and Sandy moved to their off-grid home up Icicle Creek Road above Leavenworth, Washington, affectionately known as Alpenglow. Their mountain home was an oasis for family and friends, and a home base for many hikes and morning cook outs at "Breakfast Rock," where Roger loved to treat others to a fully-loaded scrambled eggs breakfast. Roger continued writing, and turned his attention increasingly to inspirational exposition of scripture and storytelling. He was an early adopter, pastoring a virtual community of sorts through devotional emails, intercession, and the daily call to "Pause And Pray At 3" (PAPA3). During this time, he also published the books that would be most precious to his family, as they catalog both his daring escapades and dependence on God.

In 2019, after enjoying a few years in Wenatchee, Washington, Roger and Sandy returned to live west of the mountains in the welcoming Warm Beach Senior Community. Within a year the family was facing Sandy's diagnosis and journey with Lewy Body Dementia, and then Roger's battle with the disease. In God's good mercy, the most brutal phase of the disease was also the fastest for Roger.

On February 14, 2025, Roger Schoenhals, surrounded and held by family, transitioned into his eternal home for a beloved Valentine's Day with our Lord and with his beautiful bride. We are quite certain that as he took in the splendor and glory of God's presence, he proclaimed with gusto, "Now THIS is living!"

Among the many hats that Roger wore were faithful husband, pastor, businessman, dog trainer, forest ranger, fisherman, explorer, pilot, traveler, and author. He will be missed as a devoted dad, papa (grandpa), and loyal friend. He is survived by children Jonathan Schoenhals (Karin), Sara Schoenhals Martinez (Joe), Anna Schoenhals Kalepo, and Julia Cohalan (Tim); grandchildren Naomi, Josiah, Isla, and Eamon; and many other loved ones.

Memorial Service on March 8th at 2pm
Warm Beach Free Methodist Church
20815 Marine Dr, Stanwood, WA 98292

360-652-6555