Eugene, OR - Roger Clemence met the world with progressive values, deep curiosity, and an open-hearted capacity for joy. Professor Emeritus of Architecture and Landscape Architecture at the University of Minnesota, Roger died peacefully on June 6 in Eugene, Oregon. In his final weeks, he was held in love by Gretchen, his wife of nearly 65 years, and by his children and grandchildren.

Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1936 and raised in Southbridge, Roger was the devoted only child of Dorothy Kay Clemence and Luther Clemence. He attended Amherst College before earning graduate degrees in architecture and landscape architecture at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied with Robert Venturi and Ian McHarg.

Roger joined the University of Minnesota faculty in 1966 and taught for more than thirty years. Generations of students remember him as a generous mentor, advocate, and friend, with humor, humility, curiosity, and faith in the potential of others.

With Gretchen, Roger created a creative, loving life for their family, full of travel, gardens, stories, and places loved deeply. He is survived by Gretchen; children Peter, Ben, and Liska; grandchildren Aidan, Lydia, and Leo; and Sol.

In lieu of flowers, spend time in a place you love, or reach out to a teacher or mentor who helped shape your life.