Mr. Cheney was born in Manhattan, Kansas and was a member of the Baha'i faith. He volunteered for the United States Army serving in Italy during Vietnam. He was a member of the Optimus Club and the Indianola Men's Garden Club. He loved to build houses, work outdoors and be with nature. Roger worked as a systems technician in communications retiring from Lucent Technologies in Des Moines.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Cheney; son, Derek Cheney of Michigan; step-son, Brent (Katie) Hanson of Urbandale; daughter, Rebecca Cheney of Michigan; step-daughter, Heather Hanson of West Des Moines; parents, John and Eilene Cheney of Oklahoma; sisters, Janice (Art) Sherman of Illinois and Angela (Bernie) Burris of Oklahoma; grandchildren, Blake and Evan Cheney and step-grandson, Keaton Hanson. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessica Cheney.