Roger E. Schobinger

Roger Evan Schobinger of Fargo, ND, passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2018 at the Sanford Palliative Care Unit in Fargo. He was 63 years old.

Roger was born October 4, 1954 to Robert E. and Betty (Davis) Schobinger at St John’s Hospital in Fargo, ND. As the second oldest of seven children, he learned at an early age how to be comfortable in a large crowd. He started working by delivering papers for the Fargo Forum and selling candy bars, earning money to attend the YMCA camps at Camp Cormorant in the summers. He was very active in gymnastics, performing with the FM Acro Team’s Elite squad known as the 13 + 1 during his school years. Roger was one of the few male performers for the FM Acro Team during its early years. He also helped in the coaching aspect of gymnastics in later years, helping with the usage of spring-loaded runways, a concept that is still being used today. He graduated from Fargo South High School in 1973.

Following graduation, he entered the United States Marine Corp, serving from 1973 to 1975, where he was stationed in Washington, DC. During his service, he was a member of a precision military unit, performing for parades, funerals and celebrations in the Washington, DC area. It was there that he received a Letter of Commendation for a special assignment in which he served for 2 weeks as a guard for First Lady Betty Ford while she was hospitalized at the Bethesda, MD Hospital.

Following his military service, Roger returned the Fargo area. He attended classes at ND State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND where he studied Upholstery. He helped with his parent’s upholstery business in Fargo until moving to California. He was able to study numerous techniques and practices of the West Coast decor in the industry, fine tuning these skills and ideas, and bring them back to Fargo to begin his own business as Roger’s Top Quality Upholstery. His business offered many hand-crafted and custom designed furniture pieces, along with the re-upholstery aspect. He worked with area interior designers in building pieces from pictures to create custom designed furniture. His precision was evident in creating pieces that are still in existence with friends today.

Roger’s joking personality and infectious smile helped him make friends easily, and the crowds seemed to gather around him. Roger was a prominent advocate for equal rights for the gay community members in Fargo and the surrounding area. He was a spokesperson and a leader of events, and a representative of his community as a mentor and a friend to those who knew him. He was a driving force in creating a safe environment for the gay community in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He helped start the Fargo Moorhead Gay Association (FMGA) by hosting dances and gatherings, setting up a network of friends and a society that followed his lead in many aspects. His home was considered a “safe haven” for those who knew him, as well as for people who were new to the FM area. Roger was an impactful person, who was never afraid to speak up for his friends, and this attitude helped solidify his stance in the FM community as a leader and mentor.

In 1992, Roger’s life was changed forever when he became diagnosed with the human immuno deficiency virus (HIV). He began working with area providers to learn more about this disease that was becoming a national epidemic, often stating “Something good is going to come of this.” When the HIV started attacking his immune system, Roger retired to Arizona, enjoying the nicer weather and became an amateur golfer. After 2 years, he returned back to his hometown roots, where he began traveling across North Dakota, talking with students and faculty, as well as other groups, about this disease. He hosted seminars, talks, brown bag lunches, and meetings about HIV/AIDS, in hopes of educating the public about how to prevent this disease from spreading. He became involved in many national campaigns to protect others, including being on the Board of Directors for the Dakota AIDS Project. He had stated during one of his talks “Listen to me – you are NOT invincible! I mistakenly thought I was – MISTAKENLY!” The stigma that was attached to the HIV/AIDS in 1992 when Roger was diagnosed was extremely negative and fearful, but because of his supportive friends and family, he continued to educate the public in any way possible. He was instrumental in bringing the AIDS Quilt to the FM area for a display, in which you could only view it by adhering to a certain dress code. He participated in the National AIDS March on Washington DC, returning to where he had served in the military.

Roger’s desire to help educate the public did not end with his seminars. He volunteered his services to the VA Hospital and the UND School of Medicine, allowing medical professionals and students to opportunity to work with an HIV Positive patient. He knew that there was a need in educating the professionals as well, so that preventative measures and procedures could be later used to help in protecting the medical field staff members. He helped in trying to ease their fear of treatment protocol by reminding them to treat the patient as a person – don’t treat them as a disease. He often referred to the medical staff at the Fargo VA as top notch, stating “they are absolutely the best.” His 26-year status as a HIV/AIDS survivor was a testament to the advice and treatment given by the many professionals in this area who valiantly worked with Roger.

Roger was also known for his “green thumb”, and was proud of his gardens. He loved growing flowers of all kinds, caring for the grounds around his building complex, and starting a community garden plot close to his home near the Red River in North Fargo. He planted more vegetables than he could ever enjoy, and gave away produce to anyone in need. His abundant gardens became another vision, helping out others in the community.

Roger participated and enjoyed the many programs offered by the YMCA of Fargo Moorhead. When he started having difficulty with his lungs and breathing due to COPD, he started a regime of Pulmonary Rehab therapy. Although he was improving, he returned to the YMCA for a Water Aerobics class, where the water made it easier for him to exercise. Roger showed up to his first class in style with his oxygen tank beside him, wearing a Speedo, and announcing as he got in the pool that he was there to join the class. The instructor stated that “I kept my eye on him the whole class, not really sure if he was going to make it through the whole thing.” He not only conquered the class, but later became an instructor of this class, challenging newcomers to improve their health too. He created a lasting friendship with many of these people, forming a bond between many social circles yet again. He was a volunteer instructor, which allowed him to not only help others, but to receive the opportunity to exercise amongst his friends.

Roger regularly attended AA and Recovery groups for himself, as well as for reaching out to others. He was able to connect with many new friends as his social circle continued to grow, meeting new people with each group meeting he attended. He was not afraid to share his story, and listened intently to their new stories as well. While attending such a meeting, he settled into a circle, and began to attend more frequently. Through this group, and their “McFellowship” meetings at the Main Avenue McDonald’s, he found a church who welcomed him home once again. The Lighthouse Church became a regular thing for Roger, and his story is being told here today as a celebration of his life.

Roger is survived by: his mother, Betty Schobinger (Mike) Mickelson, Fargo; his siblings: Lee (Judy) Schobinger, Sheldon, ND; Gail (Mounty) West, Peoria, AZ; Gene (Kathie) Schobinger, Gardner, ND; Meri (Curtis) Thompson, Wamego, KS; Sue (Rick) Meyer, Hiawatha, IA; and Robb (Mavis) Schobinger, Fargo; 16 nieces and nephews, and 17 great nieces and nephews; one aunt, Adeline Jenson, Colorado Springs, CO, as well as numerous relatives. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert E. Schobinger, his grandparents and many friends.