Celebration of Life for
Roger Teeter
Roger Teeter
September 21, 1938 – October 24, 2021
A Roller Coaster Life
View Service
Held November 6, 2021 11 AM PST
Order of Service
Host Introduction
Chris Leier, son-in-law
Opening Prayer
Earl Oliver, Church Elder
Speakers
Kim Grotzke, Teeter Staff Representative
Pierre Horn, Family Literacy Project, South Africa
David Moskovitz, Friend, Seattle
Bernie Brown, Friend, Mexico
John Wagener, Friend, Wisconsin
Jennifer Teeter, Wife
The Millennium Prayer
Obituary for Roger Charles Teeter
It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of Roger Teeter, 83, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, on Sunday, October 24th, 2021.
Roger lived his life defying the expectations of aging, just weeks ago waterskiing and hosting live TV presentations. His departure was a shock, yet we are grateful that his life remained vibrant to the end.
As a passionate entrepreneur, Roger had an impeccable and persistent work ethic. In the 1970’s, when his business, EP Waterski, ran into a production issue, he hand-sanded over 400 skies in one weekend. While he expressed that there is no sense in wishing life was ever done differently, it is this event that planted the seeds of illness in his lungs. In true Roger Teeter fashion, he never let this – or anything else for that matter – slow him down, inspiring people half his age with his vivacious spirit.
Roger had three driving forces in his life: his wife, Jenny, his faith, and a desire to help people live a better and more active life through inversion. He was a risk-taker who didn’t let slow success quell his drive and toiled for decades before his business began to prosper. As a friend so eloquently said, “Roger not only succeeded in his endeavors, but he did so with the utmost humility and warmth toward others, and with his family at his side in that pursuit. Normally it is success or family, and that Roger has maintained both for so long, speaks volumes about the character he possesses.” He found peace through the ups and downs of owning a business because he placed success not on monetary results, but on the effort exerted and the benefits experienced by his customers – and he will live on through the continued changed lives of those who use his products.
In his final days, Roger remained as sharp as ever, reminding us of advice he has passed on for years. A dear friend’s daughter echoed similar sentiments, sharing his similar advice to her many years ago. In her words, “You need to know that you cannot change other people, the way they think or the situation that you are in right now, but what you can change is your attitude and your mindset, so you can face it better. You don’t need to always be right.” More simply put, and perhaps most frequently heard by his family, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” A saying he did not create but lived.
Roger is predeceased by his parents Marian and Evan Teeter. He moved on ahead of his wife Jennifer Teeter, their daughter Rylie (Chris Leier), daughter Kim (Gregg Curry), son Jason (Sarah), and brother Gary (Sue). Also left behind are five grandsons of boundless energy, Miles, Jack and Andrew Teeter, Jovin and Coen Leier.
Memorial donations can be made to Children’s Chance for Life
Tribute Wall
Share a memory of Roger or share condolences with the family.
Discover Teeter Blog
Thinking of the great times we had with roger.
Roger was an amazing man! The long list of lives he made better was a great testament to how he lived his life. I was blessed to have the opportunity to pray with him over the phone a few days before he was called home. He was very lively in his conversation with the Lord, one thing he said was very important to him. He said “Lord, thank you for forgiving me for all the dumb things I did in my life, and the many, many blessings you’ve given me and my family. I’d like to stay longer as I feel I have more work to do for you. I want to make sure all my family and friends are saved so that when my time comes, I know that someday I’ll see them again in your heaven.”
An amazing prayer! It wasn’t work-work that he was worried about, but his family and friends. My faith started with something someone like Roger said to me a long time ago, that sparked me to seek Him more over the years. Hopefully Roger’s words will help with the spark for those he had in mind and that he passionately prayed for.
We’ll miss you Roger and I hope I get to see you again amigo🙏🏻
A short stop during Roger’s roller coaster life. I miss him a lot!
Dear Teeter and Leier Families,
We are so sorry for your loss.
We will miss Roger immensely and feel lucky and proud for having gotten to know him over the past few years. His generosity and overall compassion for all mankind was incredible. His spirit will live on forever through all the people he touched and inspired. I am one of those people. I know I am a better person having known Roger and witnessing how he lived his life.
Witnessing the relationship between Roger and Jenny remains truly inspirational. I routinely brag about the relationship and how two people seemingly different in their belief systems cannot only co-exist but love each other deeply. That type of love and understanding is even more inspirational and hope providing in today’s polarized climate. Roger was and is an incredible man who accomplished so much as a husband, father, and businessman in no small part because of the incredible partner he had.
Love,
Sara, Ava, Max, and Brad
I will always cherish the memories of you close to my heart. You were such a great mentor in my work life, spiritual guidance counselor, dance instructor and tour guide! Thank you for the passion you have given us to make the world a better place.
Some of my favorite memories of Roger are when I tell people I work at Teeter, they don’t say “Oh the inversion table place”, they say “Oh, you get to work with that fun guy from the infomercials!”. It always made me proud that people knew who he was even if they didn’t own a piece of our equipment. The amount of lives Roger has changed is truly inspiring and hard to even put in perspective. I hope his friends and family find peace in knowing his legacy will live on through all of those he has given their life back to and with those who will continue to carry on his life’s work. My thoughts are with you all <3
We will always remember Roger for his passion for life and as an aspirational person. We love this photo of him doing one of the things he most enjoyed.
We can only hope to reach 80 and still be able to say “I feel great!” and we have him as a role model to show the way.
We miss you Roger, and want your family to know that our thoughts are with them. Know that they are surrounded by much love & support from the community you’ve touched over your lifetime.
Best regards,
Jim & Robin Todd
I am so heartsick to hear about Roger.. I had the pleasure of working with Roger for 25 years at HSN.. he was always such a beautiful soul…inspiring, joyful, full of life and a delight to work with. He will be dearly missed.. sending love and prayers to Riley and your entire family.. xo
Oh my heart…A legend has passed and will never be forgotten. My deepest condolences for your family. I am so sorry for your loss. I got to work with Roger many times at HSN and he was ALWAYS inspiring. The type of person that inspired optimism and can do into everything he did! His energy was contagious and I finished each show with Roger, with a smile and feeling energized. Roger was for sure, one of my favorite guests and I will never forget his spirit. My prayers are with you Ms. Jenny and Rylie, for the family as well. All my respects.
Roger was always such and inspiration. I love every hour with him on TSC. We had such great laughs on air and his energy was contagious. He was always a ray of sunshine. A man who cared deeply about helping others and led by example. Roger thank you for your kindness and spirit. You made everyone around you always feel good. RIP
Renee Deighton TSC Host
Offering my deepest condolences to Roger’s family and all who knew and loved this remarkable person. It was an honor to know and work with Roger over the past 25 years. His energy, passion, kindness and joy for life was contagious – I will miss you and never forget you old friend <3
Roger was the most remarkable man we have ever had the privilege of meeting!
Should he have heard me utter these words, his true humility would have prompted him to gently squeeze my arm, walk me aside and quietly ask me not to say this.
“It isn’t me after all, it is the Lord working through me and allowing me to do the things that I do….”
We all knew Roger to be like this, truly and honestly Humble.
I count myself exceptionally privileged to have met him and his remarkable Family. I am so much richer as a result. Not only did he inspire me and counsel me, but he gave me hope where I was surrounded by hopelessness. The blessing in this is that it didn’t stop there, he inspired many, many others that were living in the most abject, hopeless poverty to find the same!
When I heard that Roger was ill, I sent out messages to the many he was a Father to, the orphans in Africa that he loved, supported and inspired – every one of them truly knew him as a Father as result of his commitment to firstly inspiring them to see hope and then assisting them to reach the goals that he assisted them to craft. The messages that came in were beautiful descriptions of someone who had a very significant impact in the lives of all of those he came into contact with in Africa in the various Projects that he had set up and supported so selflessly. This impact has inspired those that had no opportunity and very little hope, to become Lawyers, Journalists, Teachers, Entrepreneurs, Artisans, Managers at Retail Stores, prominent leaders in our community and the list goes on and on.
Roger, your soothing, sound advice and wise Spiritual Counsel will be missed so much by so many in Africa.
Roger was an amazing man! I have been blessed to have known you for a while now. I am going to miss the emails asking me to take care of someone you have met that needs the Roger discount. I was so amazed to see the email on Thursday from you, asking me to take care of your nurse. You showed me anything was possible and gave me the opportunity to prove it. I know in my heart, you are in good hands. Take care my friend.
It was an honor and privilege to know Roger for almost four decades. In the mid-1990’s, He came to the US Army Physical Fitness School at Fort Benning, donated inversion equipment, and inspired senior leadership including the School Commandant. Words cannot fully capture the essence of exceptionally noble pioneers like Roger Teeter, who shine light toward a better future for us all.
Roger we will miss your kindness and patience. You put up with teenage/young adult shenanigans Rylie and I pulled. Patiently taught both my children to water ski as little ones and how to wake surf just last summer. You will be missed greatly, but will live on in your children and grandchildren.
Love,
Betsy, Ben, Bella and Brixton
I am so sad to have just learned of the passing of Roger. It was about 2 weeks ago, Roger emailed me back as we were going to do a video chat and that he was dealing with an illness. It says a lot about him taking his time to personally respond. I was looking forward to doing a jump with him.
I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to celebrate with Roger on his 83rd birthday on HSN. It will be something I will never forget. Roger was such an inspiration and so thankful that he developed a product that has had a very big impact on my life when dealing with my back issues.
Rylie, I am sending a big hug to you and your family. Your dad was an amazing man and will be so dearly missed. We will have to do a jump in his honor next time we connect on HSN. I know you will continue to fill in his shoes with that great energy and smile of yours. To the Teeter family, big hug to you all.
Roger RIP!
Six years ago September I was asked to thank an anonymous donor who’d just given our organization a generous unsolicited donation. In my note, which included my card, I wrote, “Had I a name and phone number I’d have called to thank you personally, and hopefully could’ve learned what prompted your generosity.”
A few days later my cell phone rang as I was driving a U-Haul to Portland for our youngest son as he readied for Graduate school. Seeing a number but no name I almost didn’t “pick up”. Thankfully, after several rings I did, saying, “Hello, this is David!” A kind voice, replied, “Oh, hi David, I’m Roger Teeter and I was about to leave you a message. Thank you for your thoughtful note of gratitude for my recent donation. I care about the needs of women and children, especially those fleeing persecution, and came across your organization. That’s what motivated my donation.
A month or so later we met and thus began, what many have shared here already, a wondrously encouraging friendship. I last spoke with Roger four days before his homegoing, which I could not have discerned given his level of interest and attentiveness. He told me of his hope to leave the hospital again soon, saying, “I keep reminding God you said ‘With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation’ (Psalm 91:16), adding, “There are so many I want to tell, family and friends, about this good news.” Hearing this I asked if I could pray for him before hanging up. “Why sure David, that would be fine” He thanked me for the call and the prayer, and I said, “My joy to do so Roger. I’ll call you again in a couple weeks.” Which, of course, never happened.
When in Nepal 4 years ago I had the great joy of hosting then Creative Director of KOMO TV News, Scott Altus, along with several other donors, who like Roger, were concerned for the women and children still struggling 18 months after the devastating earthquake of 2015 which killed more than 10,000 and left tens of thousands more clinging to life on the margins. I sent Scotts video that follows to Roger in April of 2017, because the images and words reflect his huge heart to help those you’ll see; and as the song suggests, invites us to remember him in that light.
https://youtu.be/1wiT4QPQDdI
Thank you my elder brother, my friend, for living your roller coaster life to the fullest as has been shared above and yet will be this coming Saturday. Forever grateful, David
I’m very blessed to have been the nanny of Jovin and Coen, Roger’s grandsons. My favorite memory with Roger is when I was the helper on his boat while he was teaching the boys how to water-ski. Many times Roger even offered me a waterski lessons. He was always so very kind and warmhearted. Roger was like my American grandfather. He asked me many times how my family was doing in Thailand. The moments I will miss is how he always greeted me with a big smile every morning driving to work and passing him walking with Lewis. I’ll forever cherish his thoughtfulness. May he rest in peace now. My heart and prayers are with his family.
Roger, such a nice person!
I met him at the admiral club,San Francisco airport more than 20 years ago.
We discussed the possibility of marketing the table in Japan abou 2 hours.
Then, at the end of meeting,we shook hands , no written agreement, no contract at all.
Our business relation started there and continued more tha 20 years based on the “trust”.
I remember Roger liked hot&spicy food. I took him Sushibar in Japan, he liked it, especially he liked
putting “wasabi”(hot,green staff)a lot onto sushi.
I wish I had a chance to take him Japanese sushibar again.
Shogo-Tas Tech Co.,ltd Japan
I met Roger Teeter many years ago at Anaheim, CA during a show…I was really impressed by the passion he had for this work and project he was committed to.
I was younger by then and I learned from him that nothing is worthy without passion and nothing you do, is well done if that ingredient is missing.
Since then I started being a loyal customer for Teeter Hang Ups and still continue.
Sorry, he left us but I’m sure Rylie is satisfied with the life he lived to the end.
Sincerely
Clara Carera
President
Vitasalud
Dominican Republic
To say it was a shock to hear of Roger’s moving on is an understatement to say the least. He was bullet proof and so full of life, I thought he would be here forever.
I was only blessed with a small amount of personal time with Roger, but even that made a huge difference. With his amazing products, his trust, help and support over the last fourteen years, it made a massive impression in my life and I am so thankful I was blessed with that privilege.
Roger, I am honoured and lucky in knowing you.
With Love
Dave and Nancy Hare
Inversion New Zealand
My friend of many years, Roger, we walked and talked the beaches of Mexico and across the green fields in England, and we cruised the world. But my fondest memory is Roger and I driving the lanes of Tacoma in the big yellow convertible, singing to Neil Diamond at the top of our voices.
Jenny and all the family, we know you will sorely miss him but you must be so proud of this wonderful man.
It was an honor and a pleasure to have known Roger. He was probably the kindest man I have known, always smiling that wonderful smile. I have many fond memories of our times together — especially our travels in France, and often sharing a glass of red wine!
To Jenny and all the family, I send you my love, and may your many special memories be a comfort to you.
I am still in shock of Rogers passing, he was super human, a true Superman.
He was always such an inspiration to me, how much he did in his life, how much he gave to others, his drive and work ethic, was second to none.
He devotion and admiration of his family was so clear from the start. Him and Jenny were the most incredible pair. A true match made in heaven. He adored his kids his grandkids made his world spin. It was so lovely to see.
I will always picture Roger walking down the long golden beaches of Baja, walking his best four legged buddy Lewis, with the calmest contemplative look on his face. He was so happy, so at peace.
I am so grateful to have gotten to know both Roger Jenny. X
Roger was an extraordinary man with a huge heart and an inspiration to so many. We heard how he inspired people so many times while taking calls. Current customers would call us to let us know how the Teeter Hang-Ups had changed their lives. Potential callers would tell us how so-and-so used it and it helped them so much they were going to purchase one for themselves. From the first time I met Roger, I was impressed with his vitality and energy. His life story was one to marvel at, and I only knew the smallest fraction. It’s been a while since I last saw Roger, but it wasn’t long after his trip to Antarctica. He came back so geeked about the trip that his excitement was contagious! I mourn with the Teeter family and wish to pass along my condolences. I am very glad to have known Roger.
Roger, my brother…
It is hard for me to believe that my brother is gone. I was fortunate to have several conversations over the phone with Roger before he went home. We talked about America, God, family and just about everything.
Roger, wanted to stay here longer, but we lifted it up to our Lord in prayer, and the Lord honestly wanted Roger with him in Heaven!
I want to thank everyone for the kind words spoken of Roger. In his gentle way, he managed to touch so many of you!
I felt the same way, growing up with Roger; I can’t remember a negative anything from him. Personally, I don’t ever remember a harsh word spoken between us! In many respects Roger at times became someone I emulated and tried my best to follow in his tracks, although at times it was virtually impossible to do!
I have many stories about Roger, here is just one! Our dad lived on a farm just outside of Poynette, Wisconsin, but moved to Milwaukee where Roger and I were raised. My dad loved to go to the farm, to see his parents, and relatives and wanted to introduce us to what it was like to live and work on a farm! So here we are at the farm and my brother gets this crazy idea to dig a whole right in the center of the driveway, in front of the chicken coop! Well, this was no ordinary hole, since the soil was Sandy. It was a huge hole, big enough to sink a tractor. The story should end here, but evidently Uncle Clark, my Dad’s brother, had to fill it in after we left for home. YEAR’s LATER uncle CLARK TALKED ABOUT THAT HOLE!
One thing, I can testify, to this day, I’m not sure why we dug that hole, but I do remember Uncle Clark telling us not to dig holes in the future in his driveway!
On a serious side, my connection over the years with my brother has been our belief in the Bible, the truth found in Scripture and our future home in Heaven, the Millennium and eternity with our creator, Jesus Christ.
It is not my intent to offend anyone, but to tell you what Roger and I have trusted in since the early 1980’s. So, please bear with me, here is what we believe!
For all Rogers success, his Water ski Company and his Inversion Table Company and all that wealth can bring; his successful competition in water skiing Roger’s greatest accomplishment in this life was his “Spiritual Awakening” in Jesus!
What frees us in this life and the life to come is “God’s Grace” and “Faith in Jesus Christ”; His death, burial and Resurrection, our gift from our Creator, allowing us into Heaven. I Corinthians 15:1-4.
God calls you to turn from your sin and acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and follow him, then God seals you with The Holy Spirit, declaring you his for eternity!
IF Roger could speak to you now, He would tell you to read God’s Word, trust the Bible; trust Jesus and Believe the Gospel for Salvation!
You must understand, you need to be perfect, never sinned or you need a Savior who never sinned; to be saved, only one person has accomplished this task, Jesus! Every human who has ever lived has failed to save himself!
For those who believe The Gospel, Jesus gives us His “Righteousness” and in exchange takes our sins to the Cross, without our works, He saves us, so we can’t boast and frees us to enter his Kingdom and The Millennium and Eternity to come!
JESUS THEN SEALS US WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, CONFIRMING WE BELONG TO GOD! WITHOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WE ARE NOT SAVED!
So Religion, can’t save you, attending Church, being Baptized, heading a ministry, are insufficient to save you, only the belief in what Jesus did on the Cross applied to your sin can save a sinner! Believing God, it is your “Faith” and GOD’s Grace, your cornerstone of Salvation! Jesus shed his Blood” as a payment for the sins we were unable to pay! “OUR Covenant with God”!
Eternity for man is God’s plan, but many prefer to trust themselves, and refuse to believe Jesus, so they die in their sins instead of receiving the free gift of salvation!
God set up the Church so all believers can be part of his family and God offers it to anyone who has trusted in his plan of salvation! There is no limit to the size of his family and desires everyone to join him!
Roger is in Heaven and he would like you to join him in the future when God calls you home! Everyone will have to choose life or death, there is no neutral area!
Roger a strong believer, there is always hope on this side of death! Roger says come…God says come … it is a gift!
I love you, my brother
Dear Teeter family,
Our family was very sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. In many ways, he has been an inspiration for our life, our business, and our family!
We started using the Teeter products personally about 30 years ago, and we have used them for about 28 years in our Natural Health Clinic as a treatment for our clients. We were so impressed with the products, and the amazing results our clients experienced, that we started selling the Teeter products 24 years ago.
The Teeter products were the first fitness products that we sold, and they became the foundation for our retail business. In the first ten years, many of our referrals, and much of our repeat business was the result of the Teeter products! We now have one of the largest fitness and wellness stores in Ontario, thanks in part to the Teeter family!
We have appreciated the high-quality products, and especially the high standard of ethics that Roger has instilled in his company. We had the pleasure of Roger visiting our stores, and have always been thankful for his enthusiasm, and his long-term commitment to help people with their total body health! True love and caring is not a temporary thing, but a lifelong commitment. Just like God’s love.
We also are a second-generation family business, and value the fact that Rylie and Chris are carrying on Roger’s vision.
God bless you all,
Philip, Mary, Stephen, Priscilla, Elizabeth and Lois Legge
Legge Fitness Superstores (Ontario, Canada)
With Deepest Sympathy
From your Wisconsin family!
When we found out about Uncle going home to be with the Lord we were Deeply Saddened!!Uncle was and is Truly an inspirational person that we all looked up to!He was incredibly Blessed and had many great Accomplishments in his incredible life!!My children Loved the stories about their Great Uncle and want to do great things like he did!Though words can do little to comfort you,may the thoughts and Prayers of all those who love you help support you during this most difficult time as you mourn your fresh loss!We are here for you all!!Here is a picture of me waterskiing for the first time with Uncle!!
Meeting and knowing Roger turned out to be a blessing in many ways. I will remember him as a kind, humble, giving, passionate, and special person, with an extraordinary life, and the absolute best eyebrows I’ve ever seen on a man. He inspired me and so many others. He impacted everyone around him in a positive way. A true legend who was a joy to know. I hope to have his zest and vigor at 80 . My thoughts and prayers are with the Teeter and Leier families as we celebrate Roger’s one of a kind life.
My deepest condolences to the whole family. I was fortunate to know and work with Roger at HSN for the last 5 years. I will never forget his unbelievable energy, sincere dedication and relentless passion for living. He truly cared for others and he will be missed by so many. It was my honor to have known Roger. Sending prayers and peace to all. xoxo
Roger was forever an inspiration to me and his inversion table saved my father back and many many others through a rehab facility here locally in town for professional baseball players. I loved the man with endless energy and joy of life that I had the pleasure to work with on TV and finally on an infomercial that will forever be my greatest treasure of work. He was and always will be a dear friend to me.
I’m still coming to terms with Roger’s passing like everyone else. Jenny and Roger were the best possible neighbors for us in Mexico. We spent so many evenings together, watching whales, adventures with four wheeler, boating, snorkeling and Ultralight flying.
Roger had an ultralight land on our beach. I told him that I always wanted to try but was too afraid. He looked me in the eye and said if it’s a goal of yours, you have to do it. I was petrified but I did it to show I was not a coward in front of Roger. I will miss his smile and kindness but especially his hugs. I still see you vividly so you’re still here.