Roger Lou Level, loved cats, cars

Roger Lou Level, 90, passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of Saturday, April 20, 2024, following a long, courageous battle with multiple chronic illnesses. He is survived by his wife, Diane Manville; his three children, Bryce Level, Jennifer Andreon (Antonio) and Rick Level (Lynn); and his beloved grandson, Lucas Andreon. He is predeceased by his parents, Cloid and Ethelda Level; and his two siblings, Phyllis and Ed Level.  

Roger was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, and loved to tell family stories about Burt and May’s cabin in the Upper Peninsula, where he spent many hours reading and listening to the rain on the roof. In his younger days, he was an avid road racer and car enthusiast, Sprite 58 was always included in his passwords! Roger was a prolific reader, passionate about naval history and W.E.B. Griffin, and the biggest fan of Captain Horatio Hornblower. 

Roger spent his professional life of more than 30 years as a treasury executive for Westinghouse Electric in Wisconsin and Chicago, traveling widely throughout the U.S. He retired at 55 and spent several years as a consultant, tax office manager, and tax preparer until finally retiring from Sombor and Sons at 83. 

Roger met the love of his life, Diane Manville of Laurel, Md., in 1995; they eventually married and moved to Millsboro and loved living at the beach.  They became involved in TNR/cat rescue in Pot-Nets Bayside, where Roger served as president of Catnippers for several years. Roger was also the administrator and driver of Dr. Jane Wiese’s spay/neuter van, where they managed to treat over 1,000 cats. Diane and Roger were famous for their “foster fails,” having over 29 cats in their home colony at one point in time. Roger’s heart cat, Shadow, was waiting for him, ready to resume sleeping on his chest in the afterlife. 

No services will be held at this time.

Contributions in remembrance may be made to Pot-Nets Catnippers, 35247 Breakers St., Long Neck, DE 19966.

Visit Roger's Life Memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.