Roger Tyrone Petrich
Roger Tyrone Petrich, 84, of Dongola, died at 3:30 a.m. on Oct. 6, 2022, at his residence.
He was born on July 26, 1938, in Fargo, N.D., the son of Arnold Friedrich and Cora Junetta Torbenson Petrich.
He married Laurel Matje on June 8, 1968. She survives.
Mr. Petrich was initially interested in architecture. He discovered music to be a better outlet of his creative expression, earning a bachelor of music degree, magna cum laude, from St. Olaf College. Subsequent dedication earned a master of arts degree and a master of fine arts degree, both from the University of Iowa.
He studied music composition with the Pulitzer Prize winning American composer Leo Sowerby, and also with the German composer Ernst Pepping.
He was among the first Fellows of the College of Church Musicians at the Washington Cathedral and also studied at the Berlin School of Church Music.
Called to religious music, he spent five decades serving churches in Iowa, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Illinois and North Carolina.
His compositions have been published by Oxford University Press, Selah Publishing, Concordia, MorningStar Music, Augsburg, and Fortress Press. His music has been featured in recorded performances by the trumpeter Paul Neebe and the Slovak State Philharmonic Kosice.
Besides his wife, Laurel, he is survived by four sons, Erik (Donna Lewis) Petrich, Mikkel (Erna) Petrich, Karl Martin (Amanda) Petrich and Kurt (Gretchin Emerick) Petrich; three grandchildren; a sister, Linda (Tom) Clifford; and several other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Arnold Petrich Jr.; and several aunts and uncles.
The family will hold a memorial service at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale at a later date. Inurnment will take place at Enderlin City Cemetery in Enderlin, N.D.
Memorials can be made to MSF/Doctors Without Borders and will be accepted at the funeral home.
To view the obituary or to leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.crainsonline.com.
Crain Funeral Home in Anna-Jonesboro is in charge of arrangements.