Roger Ackerman Sumter, SC - Roger Williams Ackerman, beloved husband of Deane Wodis Ackerman, died Monday, September 10, 2018 at his home. He was the son of the late Emil Ralph Ackerman and Hannah Levy Ackerman. He was born in Wadesboro, N.C. in 1932. In 1936 the family moved to Wallace, N.C. Roger and his beloved sister, Pam, were able to thrive in this small town. He was elected co-captain his senior year by his teammates of his school's undefeated football team. Roger excelled scholastically at The University of North Carolina; graduating Phi Beta Kappa. While there he served as president of his fraternity, was inducted into the prestigious Order of the Old Well and the USAF ROTC Scabbard and Blade Society. After graduation he served on active duty as an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and numerous years thereafter in the Air Force Reserve. Following his service duty, he began working for a metal-recycling firm in Goldsboro, N.C, and in 1965 he became general manager of the Addlestone Co. in Sumter, SC. In 1970 he established his own business, Ackerman Metals, Inc. and later acquired Orangeburg Metal Company in Orangeburg, S.C. and McCabe Scrap Iron and Materials Co. in Galesburg, Ill. He was involved in the scrap metal trade association and served as president of the southern division and also on its national board of directors. Devoted to his faith, Roger was an active member of Temple Sinai and served in many capacities, including numerous terms as president of the congregation and in later years he chaired the long range planning committee to provide for care of the Jewish Cemetery and the Temple building. His involvement in the Sumter community covered many areas. He served on the boards of the Sumter Chamber of Commerce, the YMCA, Sumter County Gallery of Art, the Sumter County Cultural Commission, Sumter Industrial Association, and Covenant Place. He served as co-chairman of the Building Fund for the Sumter County Gallery of Art. He was a long-time supporter of The Sumter Little Theatre. In 1975, along with his wife and oldest daughter Polly in the cast, he took center stage as the lead in "The Music Man'. He was an active member of Rotary for over 50 years and served the Sumter Rotary Club as president in 1978-79. He was recognized as Rotarian of the Year in 1982 and 2017. He had the distinction of being named District 7770 Rotarian of the Year in three different decades. In 1997 he received Rotary International's Distinguished Service Award; and in 2006 he was recipient of the Service Above Self Award, the highest honor given to an individual Rotarian by Rotary International. Roger was recognized by his fellow Rotarians as being the founder of The CART Fund (Coins for Alzheimer's Research Trust) which has raised millions of dollars for Alzheimer's research. He was the guest speaker at more than 200 Rotary club functions in the Carolinas, Georgia, and other states, promoting The CART Fund. In 2008 he was the recipient of The Order of the Palmetto; South Carolina's highest award given to an individual for excellence in service. The last years of his life were devoted to preserving Temple Sinai and creating Temple Sinai Jewish History Center. Working along with several other congregation members, the center opened to the public in June of 2018 and is now part of The Sumter County Museum complex. In August 2018, Mayor Joe McElveen visited the Ackerman home to present Roger with The Gamecock City Society Award for distinguished and exemplary service to the community. Surviving are his wife of Sumter; his children, Matthew Ackerman of Flagstff, AZ, Polly Menaker (Steve) of Charlotte, N.C. and Angela Jurs [Tim], of Castalia, Ohio; grandchildren, Noah Menaker, Simon Menaker, and Jasmine Ackerman, and sister-in-law, Lynn Sherman, of Aubrey, Texas. Also nieces and their families. Memorial services will be held at 3 P.M. Thursday in Sumter at Temple Sinai with Rabbi Sanford Marcus officiating. Memorials may be made to Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, P.O. Box 1673, Sumter, S.C., 29151, The Cart Fund, P.O. Box 1916, Sumter, SC 29151, or Sumter County Gallery of Art, P.O. Box 1316, Sumter, SC 29151. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Sep. 10 to Sep. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Roger Ackerman

24 Entries

Dianne Thomson

September 4, 2023

The first thing I noticed about Roger was the way he he would look at Deane, as if he couldn´t believe his great good luck. I shared that impression with him once, and he just smiled and nodded.

Jeff Metz

September 21, 2018

As most dear friends of my parents, we are saddened by the news of Roger's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ackerman family. He was a special man, filled with kindness and generosity. He will be missed.

Diane Shillito

September 18, 2018

Deane and family please know that I am thinking and praying for all of you. I was sadden that I could not pay my respect to Roger. He will truly be missed by all that knew him. May God Bless all of you.

September 17, 2018

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 119:76.

John

September 17, 2018

To the family, I am sorry to hear the news about your loss. May the God who "binds up the brokenhearted" and "comforts all who mourn" sustain your family during this challenging time. Isaiah 61:1,2

Deborah Steele

September 16, 2018

I just learned of Roger's passing today and the world seems a little darker because of it. I had the privilege of working with Roger for many years through Rotary and CART. He was always such a kind and warm individual. My condolences to all of you at this difficult time. Roger's legacy will live on for years to come.

September 16, 2018

My sincere condolences to the Ackerman family and friends. May precious and fond memories remind you of the times you spent together giving you pleasant thoughts. May God's loyal love give you the comfort you need at this sorrowful time and also give you strength to endure. Psalms 119:76

September 15, 2018

I am sorry for your loss. May you find solace in many happy memories and close friends during these most difficult days.(Prov 17:17) LJ Charlotte NC

September 15, 2018

Offering my condolences to the loved ones. "May mercy and peace and love be increased to you."- Jude 2

Larry Freudenberg

September 13, 2018

Polly, Matt and family, we're so sorry for your loss. Your father's greatest achievement was the two of you and your families . Our prayers are with you, your mom and everyone who loved your father.

AC GA

September 13, 2018

Please accept my condolences. May the God and father of Abraham be with you as we await the fulfillment of seeing Abraham offspring fill the earth like the stars in the heavens. Genesis 15:5,6.

Stan Luallin

September 13, 2018

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ackerman family. Roger made a lasting contribution in Rotary with the CART fund and leading the fight against Alsheimers Disease..

Tsuneya Ikezu

September 12, 2018

Pleas accept my sincere condolence in the loss of the legacy of CART Fund. His passion for the cure of Alzheimer's disease resonates not only among the funding members but investigators in the nation. He will be missed.

M G

September 12, 2018

My deepest sympathies to the Williams family. I am so sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in Isaiah 61:1,2 where God binds up the brokehearted.

Cookie and Stan Rosenbloom

September 12, 2018

Dear Cousin Deane and family. Our hearts go out to you for the loss of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. Roger's devotion to family and his community are legendary. We shall always think of Roger as a handsome, smiling and gracious gentleman who touched the lives of all who knew him.

September 12, 2018

Please accept my condolences in the loss of your dear love one.May the GOD of comfort comfort you during your time of grief. He promises to mend the hearts of those that have lost their love ones. He will wipe out death forever.

Stan Keeler

September 11, 2018

Thank you for sharing your gifts with your community and setting such a fine example for us to follow! Prayers for those mourning your passing.

Herb Lanford

September 11, 2018

Roger made a genuine, positive difference in the world, exemplifying the Rotary ideal. The CART Fund is his enduring legacy to the entire human race. My most sincere condolences to the family of this great man, my fellow Rotarian.

Joanie Rugheimer Clute

September 11, 2018

Deane and family, I am so sorry to hear of Roger's death. I will never forget how gracious and kind you were to Pete and me when we lived in Sumter, oh so very long ago. May you find peace in the good memories and speak of him often. Joanie

Glenn Hood

September 11, 2018

I know of no one who better exemplified "Service Above Self" in all he did. Those of us who have worked with Roger in the formative years of CART know how he loved the opportunity to end the disease that took his mother-in-law.
I will miss the passion for his beloved Tar Heels, and his devotion to any cause that he was involved with.
Rest in peace, my friend. We will carry the CART torch forward.

Norman Rogers

September 11, 2018

When I was creating the Roger Ackerman Golden Bucket Award for my Rotary District clubs to compete for the Most Giving and Per Capita honors...I called Roger.
After I explained the rules to the contest to him, his next comment was I like the idea, but maybe we should name it after someone more deserving . That was Roger; I had no idea that creating a contest that embodied the most giving and per person honors was the epitome of the life of Roger Ackerman. I find it only fitting that we would loose our Father of CART in the year when the Rotarian creed is Be the Inspiration. Roger has inspired thousands to carry on in his name.He will be missed.

Bill Shillito

September 11, 2018

Deane and Family, my deepest condolences. I know no better man, no better person than Roger. He was and is an inspiration and a role model for me. May hold you close during this time.

R D

September 11, 2018

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Roger and Deane in 2002

Larry & Dianne Thomson

September 11, 2018

The world was a better place with Roger in it. His love of life, his gregarious nature, and his humility were the qualities everyone saw in Roger. Only when all of his selfless accomplishments were detailed in his obituary is it obvious that he was a truly great man. It was our great blessing to be called "friend." We will miss him terribly.

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