Roger Kugler

Roger Thomas Kugler, 81, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026, at Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas. He was born on May 29, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the only child of Thomas and Vergene (Gleason) Kugler.

Roger graduated from Great Bend High School and attended Wichita State University, where he earned his Masters in Music Education and trumpet performance. He then went to the University of Oregon and earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts. He spent his career in music education, teaching at the high school level for 12 years and then began his teaching and administrative career in higher education. Roger was an Assistant Chair and Professor of Music at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia; the Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Bands at Baker University, Baldwin City, Kansas; Budget Director and Dean of the School of Music at Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Vice President and Dean of the College at Central Methodist University, Fayette, Missouri; Music Director of Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas; and the Director of the International Center for Music at Park University, Parkville, Missouri.

Roger was preceded in death by his son, Grant Kugler on May 27, 2007; and his parents, Tom and Vergene.

Roger is survived by his wife Kathryn of 33 years; his son, Cody (Yvette) Nehrbass of Lawrence; his three daughters, Ursula (Dave) Nichols of Lawrence, Heidi (David) Gillette of Leavenworth and Wendy (Marty) Feltner of Lyndon; his nine grandchildren, Taylor Gray, Jackson Nichols and Jerrod Nichols, all of Lawrence, Sydney (Dylan) Flanner of Harrisonville, Missouri, Nyah (Jacob) Lazzo of Kansas City, Kansas, Dylan (Zeke) Skinner of Overland Park, Cleo Feltner and Elijah Feltner, both of Lyndon and Caylee Nehrbass of Lawrence; his two great-grandsons, Ashton, Leo and one on the way; his two sisters-in-law, Sandy Garber and Amy Robbins, both of Lawrence; other relatives and friends.

The family will meet with friends from 10:30 to 11:30am on Saturday, June 27 at the Feltner Funeral Chapel in Lyndon. Private family services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions in memory of Roger may be made to Midland Hospice Care, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Avenue, Lyndon, KS 66451. Online condolences for the family may be left at feltnerfuneralhome.com.