Roger Alvin "Bumpa" Packard was born September 4, 1935 in Potter County, SD, to William Edward and Elsa Frances (Bartels) Packard. He was the youngest of 4 children. It was there that he attended school through his 8th grade year. Afterwards, he continued to work on the family farm, until he joined the National Guard in December of 1956. He was honorably discharged in December of 1963. He then worked for the City of Gettysburg, a cheese factory in Big Stone City, SD, and joined the Local 80 Union, where he worked various construction jobs until moving to the Black Hills in 1984. There, he worked for Heavy Constructors until his retirement in 2007.
Roger married Lynn Hansen in 1966 and from this union, Scott William Packard was born on November 25, 1967. He later married Joan Marie Hemmer on July 28, 1972 in Sisseton, SD. This made him stepfather to Tim and Shari Neyhart, which he took great pride in. Joan and Roger lived in Brookings, SD, where they enjoyed fishing, as well as snowmobiling in the wintertime. In the Black Hills, they continued to enjoy outdoor activities, such as car rides to admire the beauty, gardening and yard work on their property, and many trips to Walmart. They loved to travel and to spend time with family.
Roger will be remembered for his kindness and generosity. Even in later years, while battling dementia, he continued to be a bright light in the lives of those around him.
Roger passed away at his residence in Rapid City on Friday, September 18, 2020. He was 85 years old.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings; and his wife, Joan.
He is survived by his children, Tim (Sandy) Neyhart, Shari Neyhart, and Scott Packard and his children; grandchildren, Amber Neyhart (Eli Bueno),      Kim (Collin) Smith, Katherine Neyhart, and James Bond; great-grandchildren, Seren and Lathen; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.
Services will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 3, 2020, at the Lions Club Park in Sturgis.