Roger L. Mellgren, PhD, passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 80. Born in Bremerton, Washington, on August 24, 1944, Roger led a remarkable life, marked by a dedication to education, a love of golf, music and a deep sense of humor that touched everyone who knew him.

A scholar at heart, Roger completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Kansas before earning his PhD from the University of Indiana in 1970. While at KU he was studying to become a city planner when he enrolled in Psychology 101, attended a screening of Dr Strangelove and discovered his Psychology professor was also in attendance and that they were both laughing at the same parts of the film. This encounter changed his life trajectory as he found his college mentor and subsequently his new major in Psychology.

His academic career as an evolutionary comparative psychologist, specializing in animal behavior began as a professor at the University of Oklahoma (1970-1988) and concluded with his retirement as the Chair and Professor, Department of Psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington (1988-2015). His career was long and distinguished, with a robust body of published work that has contributed to his field and inspired many of his students and colleagues. Some of his specialties were working with University of Oklahoma's Institute for Primate Studies, researching sign language communication between chimpanzees, studying sea turtle behavior in Akumal, Mexico, the social enhancement and interference of food finding in zebra finches, adoptability of dogs and the foraging behaviors of rats. Roger held many important roles in the scientific community such as President of the Southwestern Psychology Association, Secretary-Treasurer and Convention Manager of Psychonomics Society. He spent two summers at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research and was an invited scholar at Cambridge University (1976-1977). He earned Emeritus status from UTA in 2015.

Roger's life was rich with passions beyond academia. He was an avid lover of music, influencing his children with the passion of seeing live music and collecting record albums. The children have compiled a playlist of songs that Roger loved which can be found on this Spotify playlist link: https://spoti.fi/4kZY1cG. He learned how to play the guitar in Barcelona, Spain while he was studying abroad. Cooking was another of his joys, where he skillfully de-glazed the pan with wine to make wonderful sauces. His friends and family will forever cherish the meals he prepared with love and creativity.

Roger was an avid golfer, spending countless hours on the course, enjoying both the game and the camaraderie it brought. He had the privilege of travelling to Ireland and Scotland, playing golf at historic courses like St. Andrews. He celebrated the achievement of a hole in one as did his father before him. His athleticism extended from his youth, where he played club hockey during his time at Summit High School in Summit, NJ where he graduated in 1962. He also coached his children's soccer teams in Norman, OK when they were young.

We can't forget to mention cars! In his younger days Roger frequently participated in Time-Speed-Distance Road Rallys and saved his money earned as grocery store sacker to buy cars and fix them up. While at KU he became a member of the Sports Car Club of America and volunteered as a Flagman for the Lake Garnett Grand Prix, just south of Lawrence, KS. One of the drivers in that race was the famed Ken Miles, a driver for Team Shelby Cobra. Roger loved to tell stories about that race and even took his children to see the movie Ford versus Ferrari. He was also a Flagman for another SCCA race held at Richards-Gebaur Airforce Base.

Known for his great sense of humor, Roger had a knack for sharp witted puns and told amazing stories. He started writing his autobiography and completed 49 pages, up to his sophomore year in College at the University of Kansas in 1964.

Roger is survived by his wife of 36 years Martha Mann, PhD of Arlington, TX, daughter Jill Richardson, her husband Jeff and grandson Jack of Norman, OK, his son Scott Mellgren, grandsons Dylan and Josh of Norman, OK, and daughter Sarah Noonan, her husband Connor, granddaughters Hadley and Penelope of Austin, TX, the mother of his three children, Karen Crenshaw of Norman, OK, his sisters Susan Grant and Jan Vaughn and brother Joel Mellgren and their families in the Kansas City metro area, all of whom will miss his warmth, intellect, and the joy he brought to their lives. Roger was preceded in death by his father Leonard Mellgren and his mother Vaudine Mellgren. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched and the work he leaves behind.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date, with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to a cause close to Roger's heart, the World Wildlife Foundation, the Sierra Club, the Jane Goodall Foundation or the ACLU.