Thursday, March 20, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
SUN STAFF REPORTS
Las Vegas attorney H. Roger McPike has died following a lengthy illness.
McPike, who came to Las Vegas in 1989 to join the law firm of Beckley, Singleton, Delanoy, Jemison and List, died Tuesday at age 62.
His speciality was commercial law and litigation, construction, insurance coverage and natural resources. He had been a senior partner in the San Francisco law firm of Thelen, Marrin, Johnson and Bridges before moving to Nevada.
McPike served four years active duty as a reserve officer in the Marine Corps. and remained an active member throughout his 31 years in the reserves. He retired as a colonel in 1987.
"My wife, Carolyn, and I attended college with Roger," said Mike O'Callaghan, executive editor and chairman of the board of the Las Vegas SUN. "He always had a special place in our hearts, as he went through an exciting life. I'll miss him and his participation at the next Marine Corps birthday celebration."
McPike was born in Boise, Idaho, on May 2, 1934. He was the eldest of four children of Harry McPike (deceased) and Mary Pike. He graduated from Payette High School in Idaho in 1952 as a salutatorian, and went on to graduate from the University of Idaho in 1956 with a pre-law degree.
He received a law degree from Stanford Law School in 1963.
McPike is survived by his wife, Cheryl; mother, Mary; sisters Christine and Alice Ann and a brother, Martin.
He will be remembered for his gracious nature, love of humor, art, sculpture, jewelry design, cartoons, the written word, the great outdoors, the underdog and the Marine Corps.
While in active military duty from 1956-60, he was a platoon leader, training and test regiment leader and intelligence air observer for the First Marine Division.
Under his reserve status, McPike served as a training officer in the First 90 mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Battery in San Jose, Calif. He participated in the Mobilization Station Designee Program from its inception in 1979. In San Diego, he served as a special projects officer and retired as his unit's commanding officer.
McPike received several decorations and awards including: the Naval Air Observer, U.S. Army Basic Parachutist Badge, Navy-Marine Corps Parachutist Badge, U.S. Army Senior Parachutist Badge and commandant's certificates of commendation. He was also a rifle and pistol expert.
McPike was a member of numerous professional organizations including: the American Bar Association, state Bar of California, San Francisco Bar Association, State Bar of Nevada, Clark County Bar Association, Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, Federation of Insurance and Corporate Counsel, International Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, California Trial Lawyers Association, Nevada Trial Lawyers Association and Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation.
He was an associate member of the Associated General Contractors of Nevada, and a member of the legal advisory committee of the Associated General Contractors of California.
He was involved in the committee to re-elect Ronald Reagan, Reagan '70 Committee, the Reagan Speakers Bureau and the Peninsula Young Republicans.
His other interests included military history and writing, United States history, gold mining, scuba diving, skiing and snowmobiling, flying and combat pistol shooting.
A public viewing will be conducted today from 3-5 p.m. at Desert Memorial Cremation and Burial, 1111 Las Vegas Blvd. North. A rosary vigil will be given from 4-4:30 p.m.
Mass will be at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1811 Pueblo Vista Drive at 9:15 a.m. on Friday. Burial will follow at 11:30 a.m. with full military honors at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to St. Judes Ranch for Children in Boulder City.
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