Norman, Oklahoma - Dr. Jean-Claude Roegiers, a world-renowned scientist and scholar, passed away peacefully February 8, 2022 at the age of 76 in Phoenix. He was born July 6, 1945 to Henri Roegiers and Rosa Claus of Courtrai, Belgium (now Kortrijk) immersed in a Flemish/French speaking home. Growing up in a ravaged post war environment of rigor and simplicity, his toys were his books, stamp collections and comic books. He became an avid reader and excelled in school always selected as the top student in his class. Being an only child, he especially loved family gatherings with his multitude of cousins. In high school, he chose Greek and Latin studies while pursuing his love of acting which gave rise to his enigmatic and charming personality. When he graduated high school, his father encouraged him to spend an extra year with the Jesuits studying mathematics in order to better prepare for his collegiate studies. He graduated magna cum laude with an Engineering degree from the University of Liège. During this time, his larger-than-life personality took hold. At a school dance, he charmed his future wife Jeanne Biémar, smitten by her elegance and ability to keep one of his toes nailed to the floor. As a pre-requisite to marriage, he enrolled her in cooking classes for he was a man whose palate knew no limit and they married in August 1969 in Mélen, Belgium. From the beginning, he kept life interesting for his bride when he "james bonded" his way to Lebanon for his honeymoon just as violent military clashes broke out and they narrowly escaped through Syria. He continued the shock and awe by shortly thereafter taking his non-English speaking bride to brave the extreme cold in St. Paul, Minnesota for graduate studies. He graduated with his doctorate in Rock Mechanics from the University of Minnesota. He often said this was some of the best times in his life during which he finessed the art of his practical jokes. The "Rock Doc" then moved to sunny Los Alamos New Mexico to work in a top-secret National government lab. There was born in 1973 his fiery daughter Natasha who proudly gave him his first grey hairs. He accepted a Professorship at the University of Toronto. Two more children came, practical Sebastien and docile Emmanuelle. With his 3 children he returned to Europe as a Von Humboldt Fellow in Bock Germany. He later took a sabbatical year, 'sans enfants' with his beloved wife, and traveled the globe giving conferences in China, Japan, India, Egypt, Hawaii, Greece, and the Holy Land. In 1981 he came to Tulsa for industry work for Dowell-Schlumberger. 'Youngest child' Joshua was born in 1984. In 1988 he went to the University of Oklahoma as a Professor and later Chair of the Petroleum Engineering Dept. While there, he quickly became one of the top Geomechanics Engineers in the industry. He made multiple contributions such as designing and building the hydraulic fracturing characterization facility and was a leader in the development of the science of borehole stability and fracture mechanics. He mused that "rocks speak" with specific "male and female identities". Over the years, J-C (co)-advised over 85 graduate students; obtained in excess of 28 million dollars in external funding; founded a world-class Rock Mechanics Institute and has co-authored more than 250 technical papers. He was also a founding member of ARMA (American Rock Mechanics Association). He was an Honorary Professor at China University in Wuhan and an International Fellow in Japan. At last count his CV contained 53 pages. Jean-Claude was also a member of the Science and Technology Analysis Team for the Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy. All these memberships were all covers for an excuse to party. He was well respected amongst his colleagues and graduate students and in a maverick sort of way he continuously ameliorated the lives of many immigrants in the United States. Many practical jokes were played in return by his students—one most memorable fictitious graduate student named Oran Utan from Mongolia, whom his colleagues eventually divulged was only an orangutan. He never bragged about his achievements---only his drinking abilities. He was the quintessential "bon viveur" who lived life to its fullest. He supported and loved the Arts throughout his life—theatre, ballet, opera, & music. He had an extensive library collection, was well-read and had a passion for travel. In his retirement he focused much of his time, talents and generosity to Saint Thomas More Parish in Norman, Oklahoma. He conducted conferences on God and Science & How God Illumines Professional Life. He helped produce a book on all the artwork at St. Thomas More and proudly took part in the refurbishment of its 1923 Organ. In 2019 he enjoyed celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary in Breckenridge Colorado surrounded by all of his children and grandchildren whom he cherished. At the time of his death, he complained that his household was no longer a democracy but died happily knowing his beloved "Lapin" was at his side.

Jean-Claude Roegiers is survived by his wife, Jeanne; his children Natasha (Joseph Barrett), Sebastien (Carri Stevenson), Emmanuelle (Todd Wilhelm), and Joshua; his grandchildren Isabella, Chloé, Eva-Maria, Gabrielle, Isaiah, Evelina; Brecken, Sawyer, Harper; Jacob, Annalysia, Lucas, Emily, Natalie; his Belgian brothers-in law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews and many cousins.

Viewing with Rosary will take place on Thursday February 17, 2022 at 7:00pm at Havenbrook Funeral Home - Norman. Funeral will be at 1 pm at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church followed by a burial at Saint Joseph's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Thomas More Organ Fund or the Theatre Guild at the University of Oklahoma- in memory of Jean-Claude Roegiers.