Dr. Roland John Werner, Jr. peacefully entered God’s Kingdom on Sunday, March 6th, 2022 and was welcomed in His Heavenly embrace with open arms at the age of 80 at St. Louis Hills Assisted Living Home in St. Louis Hills, Missouri. Cherished husband of Linda J. Werner and beloved father of Nicole Marie (Werner) Wasielewski and Michael Brian Werner. Dear son of the late Roland J. Werner and Florence May (Zigenmeyer) Werner and loving Poppa of Emma and Chloe Wasielewski and Sara, Ben, Maggie, and Augie Werner. Loved brother of Paul (Paula) Werner, the late William Werner (2017) and the late Robert Werner (1953). Loving father-in-law to Paul Wasielewski (his best fishing buddy) and Mary (O’Rourke) Werner. Dear uncle, cousin, principal, colleague, and friend to countless individuals in his life.
Roland, or Lonnie as he was nicknamed, was the youngest of four sons and grew up in Maplewood, Missouri. He spent an abundance of time running up and down his childhood street of West Bruno with kids from all over the neighborhood. As a young boy, he attended Little Flower Catholic School and Church and then went on to Christian Brothers College High School, graduating with the class of 1959. He and his brothers were mischievous and daring in their youth. From gathering Christmas trees and placing them in a neighbor’s garage for ‘safekeeping’ to occasionally fishing and gathering hubcaps here, there, and everywhere.
After graduating from CBC, he moved on to Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas to earn a degree in mathematics in 1963. Over many summers he worked in box making factories and drove a combine in the fields of Kansas. He earned his Masters in Education specializing in Special Education at the University of Missouri, Columbia (as he always said, it’s THE University). He taught and proceeded to work on his Doctorate of Philosophy in Special Education through THE University, graduating in 1972.
In 1990 he married the love of his life, Linda Jane (Burns) Werner, and together they served students with different abilities. When they weren’t working in schools or administrative offices, they enjoyed float trips, their dogs, dear neighbors, reading the Sunday paper, reading hundreds of library books and rolling pennies in the evening.
Dr. Roland Werner Jr., was a teacher, an administrator, an advocate for children with different abilities, and an individual who knew what it took to create greatness in children’s lives. One of his greatest accomplishments (and there are a multitude) was having the vision and the drive to create Nottingham Community Access and Job Training High School for the St. Louis Public Schools in 1996. He led a community that supported, taught, and encouraged its youth to aspire to their greatest potential. Dr. Werner was loved by students, staff, parents, and the community. When he retired in 2008, the community came together to dedicate in his name, the high school cafeteria where all celebrations were held, where the community came together, where Dr. Werner loved to be with his students on a daily basis.
Our daddy loved his big ole Labradors Thunder, Tanner, and Boss. The best thing about those pups were their hugs. Those pups loved him more than anything in this world and were always by his side.
Our daddy could make anything taste simply amazing – his Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys were beyond anything in this world. Sausage dressing….it was heaven! His different bread recipes were the staff of life. If it could be cooked, Dad would make it delicious.
Our daddy loved fast cars, especially Corvettes. Tinkering in the garage and fixing up those vettes that he purchased was a passion of his. There was nothing better than taking the T-tops off, blasting some great music, and driving fast down an old road.
Our daddy was a happy fisherman that loved hooking into a largemouth bass or huge catfish – though the bluegill always gave a great fight! He loved nature, he loved being outdoors, he loved O’Connor’s Lake, Walker Lake, Jefferson Lake, and Busch Wildlife.
Our daddy loved his family more than life itself and he was proud of each of them.
He treasured Mike and Mary, Paul and Nicole, and especially his six grandchildren. Family gatherings were a time to come together, to be thankful for all that God gave us, and to enjoy the blessings He provided in our lives through one another.
We will all miss his requests for homemade cherry pie, sit downs for creating a menu for any and all family gatherings, our family gatherings with lots and lots of food, going fishing in the sun, rain, and ice, and the countless stories about his amazing life.
He was a hero to us when he was here.
He continues to be our hero now.
He will be remembered as a hero because of his vision, talents, and servitude.
You are our hero, Daddy!
We miss you, Daddy!
We love you, Daddy!
Beautiful and loaded with live! Thank you for this testimonial words of Lonnie’s life! He was my baby brother and is missed as the rest of my family. Thank You! Uncle Paul.
Dear Daddy,
I miss you so! You were my best friend and you were always right there by my side supporting me in everything I did. Your words of encouragement, your patience, and your strength were gifts that I treasure and will always keep close to my heart.
Thank you for being my biggest fan, for telling me the things I needed to hear, for loving me unconditionally. All my life you have always been my hero…you have always lifted me up. You taught me to believe in God, to honor His words, to live with Him in my life. I hope that you are at peace and that all the pain of this world is far behind you.
I know you are enjoying God’s great lake, I know you are catching fish like crazy, I know that you are happy and laughing in heaven. I am so thankful that God is holding you close to His heart.
You are an amazing man and the best daddy in all the world. Your presence is so greatly missed….every, single day. I love you more than words can say, and you will forever be in my heart, Daddy! Forever and always…I love you!
Love always,
Nicole
xoxo
Dr.Werner was the best principal I ever had. He will truly be miss .
So sorry for your loss my prayers to you and the family I was one of his students back in 1999 graduated in 2002 and yes he will be truly loved and missed
Dr. Werner was an educator at heart. He was kind, patient, and always had time to answer a question or solve a problem, no matter how small.
We grew to be great friends. I will always remember our friendship. He will be dearly missed.
Dr. Werner
Was the best principle I ever had, He loved his students very much. He had so much compassion for the students and he will be missed tremendously!
(Your former student at CAJT 2001-2006)
We were always happy to host Lonnie on his fishing days because he shared his own happiness and positive attitude with each of us. May he Rest In Peace.
Martha & Ron O’Connor
Working with Lonnie was a true pleasure. He was a dedicated champion for children and youth with disabilities and he applied his awesome vision, intellect, and skills to the task of providing quality educational experiences for them. He was a kind, supportive colleague; the public schools of Missouri and the St. Louis Public Schools, in particular, gained much from his work. I consider myself to be very fortunate to have been his co-worker.
Louise T. Wilkerson
I extend heartfelt condolences to Linda Werner and the rest of Lonnie’s family. Working with Lonnie was a true pleasure. He was a dedicated champion of children and youth with disabilities and he applied his awesome vision, intellect, and skills to the task of providing quality educational experiences for them. He was a kind, supportive colleague. The public schools of Missouri and the the St. Louis Public Schools, in particular, benefited greatly from Lonnie’s work. I consider myself to be fortunate to have been his co-worker. May he rest in eternal peace.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May he and the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.
I enjoyed working with you at Nottingham CAJT High Scjool, Dr. Werner. You will be missed.
My condolences to your family.
Something made me think about you today
Very sad to see u passed on my condolences threw the holiday season to the Werners. Also I have good memories of u in my early high school years that I will carry with me forever ☺️ former student
Quentin Adail 2006-2012