Roger B. McGrath, LTC USAF (Ret.)  died on September 19, 2024, in Bedford, MA.

He was born in Zanesville, Ohio on May 23, 1946, and was the son of the late John F. and Naomi (Wince) McGrath.

Roger was a member of the Class of 1964 at Plainfield High School where he was a track and football star. He then went on to Carthage College and ran track. Roger continued his education at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he earned his MBA.

Roger had a long and adventurous career as a fighter pilot with the US Air Force. He flew many planes including T38, F4, F106, F15 and more. His callsign was Buckeye, a tribute to his Ohio roots. He was a well-respected leader and was in command of different flybys over places like the Air Force Academy, and Oshkosh Airshow. He served his country in Vietnam and the Gulf War. After over 25 years as a fighter pilot, he went into the FAA and worked in airspace management for over 15 years.

During his retirement, Roger lived in Granbury, Texas until October of 2023 when he moved to Massachusetts to be closer to family. He was an avid supporter of the arts and loved to build model airplanes, most which have been donated to and are on display at the Granbury Airport.

He is survived by his son, Jeffrey McGrath and his wife Jennifer of Whidbey Island, WA and daughter, Lori Robertson of Concord, MA, former spouse, Kathy McGrath and five granddaughters Cailean, Cristina, Erica, Claire and Emma and one grandson, Ewen. He is preceded in death by sister, Betty Flynn McGrath and brothers, Richard and Ed McGrath.

Visitation will be held at the Bedford Funeral Home, 167 Great Rd., Bedford, on Thursday, September 26, from 9:00 A.M to 10:30 A.M. followed by a service at 10:45 A.M. For livestream of service visit https://my.gather.app/remember/roger-mcgrath

Interment will follow at Winchendon Veterans Memorial Cemetery, at 1:00 PM.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163 in his name or to the Bedford VA Healthcare System CDCE 135, 200 Springs Rd., Bedford, MA 01730.