Roger Casto

Roger Bruce Casto passed away June 2, 2022, in Denver, Colorado.  Roger was born at home on July 21, 1939, in Sharon Center, Ohio, to the late Foy and Lillian Casto.  He graduated in 1958 from Medina High School and attended the Colorado School of Mines.

Roger started out on a farm in Ohio and ended up in Denver ultimately working in the Coors beer manufacturing industry. His leisure interests were hunting and guns and the Broncos, Denver’s football team.  Firearms launched his career at Coors.  As a young man he went to gunsmithing school which prepared him for the intricate work of tool and gage.  His skill was impressive!  Apparently he had equally impressive business skills.

By 1972 Roger was in management in the Quality Assurance section of Coors Container Company.   It was there that he made his mark.  Under his leadership Coors Container Company assembled the finest tool and gage facility west of the Mississippi.  The work done in that high tech department was critical to the development of the aluminum can - the original creation designed and produced in Golden, Colorado, at Coors Container Company, and that is now used as a beverage container throughout the world.  Roger was tagged “Silver Tongued Casto” at Coors Container because of his ability to persuade upper management to fund his projects. He was very successful in developing and overseeing the Tool and Gage Department and ultimately became the Coors Container Company Director of Quality Assurance.  Coors Container Company eventually merged with the brewing end of the business, Adolph Coors Company.  At Adolph Coors Roger worked as the Metrology and Gaging Manager, culminating in a career spanning over 25 years with Coors.

Roger suffered a massive stroke in the early 1990’s.  He worked diligently with physical  therapists.  However he was unable to recover well enough to live on his own again.  For the past twelve years Roger resided at Harvard Square Assisted Living where he created close friendships with both residents and staff.  He was well known by the residents of Harvard Square as the outstanding cheerleader during the Denver Broncos games - Hot Dog!  He also enjoyed wheel chair dancing at the Harvard Square social gatherings.  Roger learned to use technology which supported his independence and communication.  He also played a strong game of charades and would celebrate winning guesses exuberantly.  Roger continued to work hard to maintain his independence and did so until the very end.

In addition to his beloved Broncos, Roger had many interests.  He enjoyed good food and loved trying new beers – Beer, Beer, Beer!  Roger stayed in touch with many friends on Facebook, including his MHS classmates.  He had a lifelong love of John Deere tractors and fondly remembered his boyhood pet fox, Rommy, and cat, Amy.

The family would like to thank the many friends and caregivers who visited and corresponded with Roger, especially in the years after his stroke.  Thanks as well to Harvard Square Assisted Living and Abode Hospice for their dedicated care of Roger.  We are especially thankful for Roger’s niece, Jeannie, and her husband, Jeff Sherman, and his adopted Colorado family who did so much for Roger: Erin and Jimmy Thatcher and their children Maisie and James; Maureen and Dennis Scheller; and Dottie Massaro.

In addition to his parents, Roger was preceded in death by his wife Sandra, his sister Marilyn and brother Darrell.  He is survived by his children; brother Jimmy (Mary) of Jupiter Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Roger will be held in Denver; date TBD.  Please check back for details or leave a message on the Tribute Wall and you will be contacted when the date is determined.  Roger’s wishes were to be cremated and his ashes spread in Ohio.

Memorial contributions may be made to:  Rocky Mountain Stroke Center:  www.strokecolorado.org or The Howard Fund:  2211 W. Evans Avenue, Denver, CO 80223; Attn:  Anna Hartzog; email:  cdle_thehowardfund@state.co.us.

Please share your memories of Roger and condolences with his family by signing the Tribute Wall.