Roger Wombacher
He’s just doing what neighbors do
Alta Cook said her neighbor Roger Wombacher is a reliable, outgoing and energetic person.
“How fortunate to have Roger Wombacher for a neighbor,” she said in a letter. “How lucky to have Roger as a thoughtful neighbor who also has a sweet wife, Beth, and a lovely family himself.”
Wombacher, 51, dismisses much of the praise, saying he was busy raising three daughters. Cook, though, said Wombacher has come through for her time and again by regularly clearing her driveway with his snowblower, clearing away leaves, and simply greeting her and others as he heads out of his mail truck at noon.
However, he said it is just a way for him to be outside.
“I enjoy going outdoors,” he said. “I enjoy meeting people. Sometimes I’ll go up the street (with the snowblower). It comes back to being outdoors. We kind of take turns. It’s just like a regular neighbor thing to do.”
A mail carrier for the last 27 years, Wombacher said being outgoing and talking to people is part of the job. He said he regularly meets with people as he goes along his route and helps out his neighbors with tasks such as picking up the mail and newspapers when they are out of town.
“It’s part of how you’re brought up,” Wombacher said. “Why wouldn’t you (help)? They feel comfortable enough to ask me. It’s not a problem.”
Wombacher has pitched in numerous times for Cook, whose husband, Jim, died in 2005. While her son-in-law regularly helps with chores around the house, Wombacher said he helps out with some things such as taking out the garbage.
“They’re there,” he said. “Garbage cans are heavy. You’ve got to watch out for people. I’m just trying to give (the son-in-law) a break.”
He said anybody else would do the same thing in his place for people such as Cook.
“They’re super nice,” he said. “I just happen to be their neighbor.”
— Rob Daniel
