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The Rev. C. Roger Elgert, 81, died Sept. 14. For the past 10 years he battled multiple system atrophy. The Rev. Ira Barr, assisted by the Revs. Robert Matheny and John Buchheister were the celebrants at a Memorial Service at Arbutus UMC Sept. 26.

Elgert grew up in a family of organists and carried the love of music with him throughout his life. He was nurtured in the Violetville Methodist Church and the Christian Endeavor movement.

While a student at Johns Hopkins University, where he sang in the Glee Club, he committed himself to pastoral ministry, which he pursued at Duke University. He was a member of the Duke Chapel Choir.

Elgert served a student pastorate in 1951 at Back River UMC. A year later he was appointed to Brooklyn Heights in Baltimore, and in 1960 to Calvary in Mt. Airy. He served there six years and in 1966 moved to North in College Park. In 1969 he was appointed to John Wesley in Hagerstown and two years later to Hiss UMC. In 1979, he was appointed to Marvin Memorial UMC in Silver Spring and remained there until his appointment to Emanuel UMC in Catonsville in 1987. He retired in 1992.

One of the ministries he was proudest of was opening Hiss UMC to a Pentecostal service that met separately from his regular worship services.

It attracted 20-30 people and was "a way to let the Holy Spirit move," he said. From his earliest ministry days he baptized by immersion when requested, said his daughter Janet Elgert.

He and Laura Godbold met while she pursued a Masters in Religious Education at Duke. They married in 1952 and served as a team throughout his ministry.

Elgert served in the communities where he lived, as chaplain to police and fire departments, with Scouting programs, supervising juvenile offenders, and in many community activities. He was a passionate gardener and particularly loved animals. When local ordinances permitted, he raised pet chickens. He would set a hen to hatch chicks on Easter mornings and during the summer Vacation Bible School, used them to teach children about new life and God's love. He also enjoyed horseback riding and often escaped during the week to take a ride.

Survivors include his wife, Laura Elgert and daughters, Janet Elgert of Baltimore, and Linda Elgert Yeatts of Denton, Texas, and two grandsons.

Condolences may be sent to Laura Elgert, 1231 Rolling Road, Baltimore, MD 21228.