Roger W Purdy, PhD

Roger Wayne Purdy was born February 1, 1952 – the fourth of five children -- born to Tyler and Helen Purdy in Whittier, CA.

He spent an idyllic childhood amid the rolling hills of Whittier, admiring the view of the Pacific Ocean off in the distance from the family’s front door.

He attended Lincoln Elementary and Dexter Jr. High School, before graduating from Whittier High School, where he developed an interest in journalism and worked on the school newspaper.

Roger began his higher education at Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah. Unsure which major to pursue, he enrolled in classes focusing on the arts.

In 1971, Roger chose to pause his education and serve as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Japan, where he became fluent in the language and an ardent student of the Japanese culture, fueling a life-long passion for the nation, and its people.

Following his church mission, Roger returned to BYU, where he earned both his BA and his MLS degrees. It was during his grad years that he earned his certification in Scuba diving. He completed numerous dives off the beaches of Hawaii, and along the California coast.

A devoted life-long learner, Roger was accepted to the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he earned his PhD, with a dual major of History and East Asian Studies (EAS).

He wrote his dissertation as a Fulbright Scholar at Sophia University, a private Jesuit research University, in Tokyo, which focused on journalism in Japan during World War II.

Roger began his teaching career at BYU as visiting professor from 1986 to 1988.

Hoping to focus on Asian studies, Roger found his teaching home at John Carroll University in 1988, where he carried a full-course load for all of his 38 years at JCU.

His love of teaching was evident in his preparation of his courses, which focused on wartime Japan’s news media, not the easiest of topics, yet his students say he made his lectures interesting; and where he spent many hours working with his students on a one-on-one basis.

Student reviews herald him as a “straightforward,” “super helpful,” and “understanding professor.”

Though he could have retired years ago, Roger was devoted to sharing his remarkable breadth of knowledge with the JCU student body. His devotion to the school, and its student body, earned him a full professorship at JCU in 2025.

During his years there, he developed many courses focusing on East Asian Studies, wrote – and published – dozens of papers and magazine articles – as well as serving as a guest lecturer for various academic groups.

Roger wanted to have the accomplishment of publishing an academic book in addition to his many magazine articles and papers. He succeeded by publishing “Modern Japan,” along with co-author, Louis G. Perez, in 2024. He also had the goal of becoming a full professor which he achieved.

He traveled to Japan as often as his work would allow to continue his research, as well as shepherding student trips to the country as part of JCU’s foreign studies program.

He served as a visiting scholar at Nanzan University, in Nagoya, Japan, until his passing.

In addition to his academic achievements, Roger was a quiet and solid man of faith.

Never one to turn away from a calling from his Lord, Roger faithfully taught Gospel Doctrine classes at the Cleveland Third Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

And even though he had served in a bishopric position previously, he accepted the call just 9.5 months ago to – again – serve as the first counselor in the Third Ward Bishopric.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Tyler and Helen, and by a brother, Stephen.

He is survived by his brothers Michael and Richard, and his sister, Donna, and nieces and nephews.

Private Interment Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California. Family and friends are invited to meet for Funeral Services 11 am Friday at THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS, 32895 CEDAR ROAD, MAYFIELD HTS 44124. Friends may call at MAHER-MELBOURNE FUNERAL HOME, 5236 MAYFIELD ROAD, LYNDHURST (EAST OF RICHMOND ROAD) 4-8 PM THURSDAY.