WESTBROOK – Dr. Roger E. Mitchell, 85, died July 23, 2011, at Maine Medical Center from complications of cancer. He was born Sept. 14, 1925, in Merrill, the third of 14 children, to Don Otto and Pearl Tozier Mitchell.
Roger was a U.S. Marine during World War II, serving in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a member of the honor guard at the signing of the peace treaty with Japan. Roger was recalled to duty for the Korean War in 1950. Roger received his high school diploma from Merrill High School in 1947, his Bachelor of Arts degree from Ricker College in 1953, his Master of Arts degree from the University of Maine in 1954 and his doctorate in anthropology and folklore from Indiana University in 1967. He taught a number of years in high schools in Aroostook County. Later he taught at the University of Guam and was a professor at University of Wisconsin-Eau Clair for 27 years. He retired in 1992. During his career he published several books and many articles in professional publications. His book “Folktales of Micronesia” was translated into Japanese and many folktales were read over Radio Tokyo. Roger was a member of the American Anthropological Association, the American Folklore Society and many other professional associations. Locally he was a member of Pride’s Corner Garden Club, Coastal Maine Garden Association, Smoki-Hauler’s Snowmobile Club, Oakfield Historical Society and the American Legion.
Dr. Mitchell was predeceased by his parents; and eight siblings. He is survived by his wife of nearly 59 years, Joyce Peabody Mitchell of Westbrook; a son, Dr. Roger E. Mitchell II of Big Rapids, Mich.; two sisters, Leah Hersey and her husband, Albert, of Oakfield, Va., and Bell and her husband, Larry, of Mississippi; three brothers, Stephen Mitchell of Merrill, Phillip Mitchell and his wife, Sue, of West Virginia and Eric Mitchell and his wife, Diane, of Pennsylvania; and in-laws, Marie Peabody of Houlton, Herman and Kate Peabody of Lincoln, Ervin an Elaine of Bristol, Conn., Pamela Peabody of Arizona and Mona Lepane of Boothbay Harbor.
Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland.