Varied experiences helped shape Roger Hagenbuch

Roger Hagenbuch grew up on a dairy farm in New Jersey. He said, "I was the fourth of nine children." A family in the dairy business needs a lot of helpers to carry the milking equipment, feed the calves, and pitch the hay and many other chores.

After graduating high school, Roger joined the Air Force. Thanks to Uncle Sam, instead of hosing out the barn, he now worked in electronics. For how long? Roger said, "Thirty years, 29 days." Sorry if you're keeping track, but he did not mark the exact minutes on his calendar.

In 2000 he landed at Eastern Washington University and set his sights on a teaching degree. He majored in math and minored in special education. Like many others with a new teaching certificate, Roger found himself substituting for three years. He worked in the Cheney, Medical Lake and Reardan school districts. Each time he faced 35 new students, trying to remember their names.

Roger bought the business he now owns in November 2004. His former wife, Wanda, named it Copy Junction and it has grown and prospered ever since. But there's always a glitch waiting to show itself in a new business.

Roger said, "During the transition the store's computer crashed. I faced a steep learning curve. Once I processed a credit card for a shipment to Alaska. I hit the wrong button and credited the client's account. I had to write a letter of explanation. I asked the client, 'Please call and let us correct it.'" Thankfully, everything turned out all right.

Roger opened a second store in Airway Heights in 2008. In November, 10 years will have gone by since he began the business.

Roger has been a member of the Cheney chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) since 2001. He said, "I was commander for eight years. We carry the colors for the Cheney Rodeo parade every year."

The VFW meets at the American Legion Hall in Cheney and has a number of projects and programs. They are in charge of the "Youth Essay" competition in the middle school and the "Voice of Democracy" in the high school.

"For kids from fourth to 12th grades there are awards on the local, state and national level," he said. The VFW sponsors the Cub Scouts, which also helps as a bond to the kids.

In addition to all this, Roger is a member of the Kiwanis service organization. He is also chairman of the board of directors at Cheney Outreach.

We all learn from our experiences. Roger always thought of himself as a quiet, reserved person. No more. He enjoys helping customers. Often, his reward is a smile. We send a smile back to you Roger Hagenbuch. Thanks for coming all the way from New Jersey to brighten Cheney with your friendship.

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at lotsaplots1@aol.com.