Obituary

The Honorable Roger V. Bradford Obituary
The gavel has fallen for the final time, the Force shudders, and Wrigley Field bows its head, as the Honorable Roger Vernon Bradford-a legend robed in justice, fueled by the Dark Side, guided by Goofy’s grin, and forever loyal to the Cubs-has departed this world and joined the stars.

Born on March 14, 1945, in Gary, Indiana, Roger was the third child of Wayne and Hazel Bradford. Roger attended the Portage Township Schools and was a standout basketball player for Portage High School, earning him the nickname “Mr. Machine”. He continued his studies at Indiana State University, joining Pi Lambda Phi where he honed his pun and parody song writing skills. He returned to The Region to teach in fourth and fifth grade at Union Township where he met Mary Kaltenbach. After his attempts to win her the old-fashioned way, through a torrent of love poems, finally succeeded, the two married on August 10, 1969. Roger then attended law school at Valparaiso University and joined the Indiana Bar. Initially working in private practice, he was appointed to county court in Portage and eventually was appointed to Porter Superior Court in Valparaiso in 1979. He served with wisdom, wit, and unwavering integrity for over 40 years on the bench. Never far from his education roots, Roger was a frequent speaker in elementary classrooms, presided over high school mock trials, and taught at the university law school. Before his retirement in 2020, Roger received Indiana’s Sagamore of the Wabash.

In his spare time, Roger could be found on the softball field, golf course, backyard garden, or watching the Cubs or Bears, depending on the season. As a member of the Hideaway softball team, he and his brother Al helped to run many tournaments in Chesterton. To “relax”, Roger also enjoyed rounds of golf with friends at many of the golf courses in the area as well as many across the country. Each summer, Roger enjoyed gardening, a love and hobby he instilled in his daughters and granddaughter, Amelia. He and Amelia bonded over weeding, planting, and harvesting their beloved popcorn. He was also a die-hard Cubs fan who never let his pessimism about the team, or their success, override his love for watching them play.

Roger and Mary celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2019 with a surprise party, orchestrated by Roger and their daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. It was here that Roger said he had his greatest success- he had left Mary entirely speechless. Whether presiding over cases, debating the finer points of Star Wars lore, creating softball brackets, or popping popcorn for his granddaughter, Roger brought passion, principle, and a touch of playful mischief to all he did. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the rulings that shaped his community, and the enduring reminder that one can uphold the law while still embracing the Force, a hearty laugh, and the hope of next season.

Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Hazel Bradford, his brother, Alan Bradford, and his brother-in-law, Sidney Sanders. He is survived by his wife, Mary, his daughters, Sarah (Tyler) Fletcher and Rebecca Bradford, his granddaughter, Amelia, his siblings Madeline Sanders, Larry (Virginia) Bradford, Kendall (Rita) Bradford, Vicki (Keith) Kahn, and sister-in-law, Lynn Betz. He is also survived by his goddaughter, Barbara (David) Wessman, nieces and nephews Keith (Cindy) Sanders, Scott (Carrie) Sanders, Denise (Jim) Bernthold, Laura Bradford (Jerry Bragg), Karl (Kristen) Bradford, Sarah (Michael) Franssen, Marc (Lisa) Bradford, Beth (Mark) Schumacher, Wendy (Christopher) Harrison, Michael (Jaymi) Sewell, Jennifer Sewell, and Adam Sewell as well as many grand nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

May the Force be with him. And may Goofy greet him with a high five at the gates.

Visitation for Roger will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, with sharing of memories to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Avenue, Portage, IN 46368

A funeral service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the funeral home with Pastor Scott Jones officiating. Additional visitation will be held on Friday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Interment will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at McCool Cemetery, Portage.

Memorial contributions can be made in Roger's memory to the Porter County Community Foundation, Portage High School Dollars for Scholars, 1401 Calumet Avenue, Valparaiso, IN 46383. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ee-fh.com.

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