Roger Wayne Atwell, Born January 25, 1938 in New Orleans Louisiana, fell asleep in death February 8, 2021.

Roger is preceded in death by his beloved wife Bonnie Jean (Tate) Atwell, father William R. Atwell, Mother Helen (Pawsey) Atwell and sister Sharon A Linville. A niece Beth Linville survives him. Roger is also survived by “adopted daughter” Robin, Goddaughter Jessica and Godson Brad Whitson, special grandson Clark and special granddaughter Lahna.

Roger spent the first fourteen years of his life in New Orleans, moving to Hamilton, MO in 1952 where he finished high school at J C Penny High. His first job was at International Shoe Factory. Roger then worked at Roland Studios in Kansas City, MO as a dark room technician for 3 years, before joining the US Army. During his service he obtained top-secret clearance as a photographic lab specialist and spent time in Panama in the Chemical Corp. He left the military in 1963.

He next worked at Bendix Corp as a class A machinist then worked for Lake City Arsenal for several years. After working as a machinist, he started his own professional photography business, working out of his home. In 1995 he formed a photography partnership with Robin Czerwonka, Photos by Design. He was a member of The Professional Photographers Association of America, Missouri and Kansas City.

Roger was a remarkable photographer with one of his images being used as a screen saver for the US Congress. He received multiple awards for photographic excellence, including a Kodak Gallery Award. Roger was a great mentor, teacher, and friend to all photographers. Many said he was the ‘Best photographer in the world’.

Roger always had a strong belief in a creator. He met Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1973 and started studying the bible with 9 of his friends and family. Roger was baptized in February 1975 in St Joseph, Missouri. His love for Jehovah gave him many opportunities to share his hope for the future of living forever on a paradise earth.

Bonnie and Roger loved to take road trips to their favorite place, Maroon Bells near Aspen Colorado. He enjoyed spending time with his friends at KC Wireless, making many lunch and bank runs. He especially enjoyed getting together with his classmates from J C Penney High School sharing many stories about growing up in Hamilton, MO.

Roger was a huge Chiefs fan and never missed watching a game with friends. He loved his cat Sweet Pea and his new furry buddy Fergus. Most of all he loved his adopted family, Robin, Eva Lee, Jessica, Brad, Clark and Lahna. Nothing put a bigger smile on his face than when he would hear Clark say, “Papa Roger!”

He especially loved all the friends in Jehovah’s organization. He photographed many baptisms and bible dramas, you rarely saw him without his camera. He was greatly loved and will be missed by everyone that knew him.

A memorial service will be held on Zoom, February 20, 2021 at 2:00 pm

For a link to Roger’s Memorial Service please email:

Robin Czerwonka - robinlcz73@gmail.com or

Larry Petree - 412mccop@gmail.com