Roger W. Cole

Roger W. Cole, PhD, passed away Melech Hospice House, Temple Terrace, Florida, on December 26, 2019 at the age of 84 Roger is predeceased by his daughter, Lisa Cole Raffman and his parents, Roger William Cole, Sr., and Ethel Cole. Roger is survived by his loving wife, Carolyne, of 44 years. They were married in Tampa, at St. Catherine Episcopal Church in Temple Terrace on June 14, 1975. Roger is lovingly remembered by his children, Catherine (Borkowski), Suzanne (Smith), and Gary Cole, and also by his step-children, Karen (Holzhauser), and Phillip and Dean Davis and their families. Roger has nine grandchildren: Rachel and husband, Luis, Charlie (SarahBeth), Joel, Amanda, Jessica, Megan, Nicholas, Alexander, and David, as well as 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers, Frank Cole (Betty) and Edward Cole (Mary), as well as nieces and nephews. He is lovingly remembered by son-in-law, David Borkowski, and Carolyne’s son, Steve Heard. Roger was born in Tampa, Florida on April 15, 1935. He graduated from Key West High School and went on to attend the University of Florida where he received a Bachelor’s degree before serving in the United States Airforce. He continued his education by earning a Master’s Degree at the University of Florida and a doctoral degree at Auburn University in 1968. He worked at the University of South Florida as a professor and department chair for over 30 years. Roger brought attention to USF by bringing the International Linguistics Institute to USF in the summer of 1975. Roger was honored with Fulbright Fellowships four times, traveling to the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Kuwait, and Egypt. He was awarded Emeritus Professor designation by the University of South Florida in 2003. Roger loved the Florida Gators and the study of almost everything. He was a consummate word-smith and constant scholar. He actively studied history all his life, and is known for his contributions to the field of first and second language acquisition theory and research. The funeral service will be held at St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church, 502 Druid Hills Rd, Temple Terrace, FL 33617, on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Melech Hospice House, 12470 Telecom Drive, Tampa, Fl. 33637 or at www.chaptershealth.org.