Obituary of Dr. Roger W. Batchelder

Dr. Roger W. Batchelder, 100, of Cortland, NY passed away on Friday May 30, 2025. He was born on February 1, 1925, the son of the late Stewart and Dorothy Batchelder. Roger was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, and friend. His grandfather was a Veterinarian in Sunderland, MA. Roger came to Cortland after graduation from Cornell. He worked at the Cortland Veterinary Hospital from 1947 to 1973, when he opened the Large Animal Clinic. He was the longest active member of the Kiwanis Club of Cortland, serving for 62 years. Roger was also the co-founder of Cort-Lanes Bowling Alley. For 20 years, Roger was the treasurer for the American Retired Veterinarians. He was also currently a member of the American Veterinarian Medical Association. Roger was a founding member of the Friday Night Fish Group. He loved boating. When he wasn't working, you could find him out on his boat, the Lin-Lor IV. Roger was also an avid golfer. He was devoted to the Cortland Community and did so much over his 100 years of life spent in the area. Roger loved spending time with his family and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Roger is survived by his daughters Laurie (Tom) Snyder and Linda (Lonny) Riehlman, his grandchildren Ashely Short and William Moench IV, his 3 step grandchildren Shannon Coffin, Dawn Blumer, and Bryan Riehlman, his great grandchildren Nola Short and Finnegan Short, and his 6 step great grandchildren Dylan, Zackary, Hunter, Tyler, Brady and Travis. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Shirley Batchelder, his special friend Marion Hoffmire, and his sisters Jean Haley and Arria Newbold. Calling hours will be held on Friday June 6, 2025 from 12pm-1pm at the Wright-Beard Funeral Home, 9 Lincoln Ave., Cortland, NY. A funeral service will follow at 1pm. Burial will follow in the Glenwood Cemetery. The family would like to thank Roger’s caregivers Margaret, Mandy, Gary, Bill, and Crystal for their time and care they provided for him. Also a special thanks to his neighbors, Mike and Charlene, for their ongoing kindnesses. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Cortland County SPCA, 879 McLean Rd, Cortland, NY 13045. To offer online condolences please visit www.wright-beard.com.