06/17/2025
The Honorable Roger Vernon Bradford passes
The gavel has fallen for the final time, the Force shudders, and Wrigley Field bows its head, as the Honorable Roger Vernon Bradfordโa legend robed in justice, fueled by the Dark Side, guided by Goofyโs grin, and forever loyal to the Cubsโhas departed this world and joined the stars.
Born on March 14, 1945, in Gary, Ind., Roger was the third child of Wayne and Hazel Bradford. He attended the Portage Township Schools and was a standout basketball player for Portage High School, earning him the nickname โMr. Machine.โ
He continued his studies at Indiana State University, joining Pi Lambda Phi and there honing his pun and parody song-writing skills. On graduating, Roger returned to The Region to teach fourth and fifth grade at Union Township, where he met Mary Kaltenbach. After endeavoring to win her the old-fashioned way, through a torrent of love poems, he finally succeeded, and the two were married on Aug. 10, 1969.
Roger then attended law school at Valparaiso University and joined the Indiana Bar. Initially working in private practice, he was appointed to county court in Portage and eventually to Porter Superior Court in Valparaiso in 1979. He served with wisdom, wit, and unwavering integrity for over 40 years on the bench. Never far from his roots in education, Roger was a frequent speaker in elementary classrooms, presided over high school mock trials, and taught at the university law school. Before his retirement in 2020, Roger was made a Sagamore of the Wabash, one of Indianaโs most prestigious honors.
In his spare time, Roger could be found on the softball field, golf course, backyard garden, or watching the Cubs or Bears, depending on the season. As a member of the Hideaway softball team, he and his brother Al helped to run many tournaments in Chesterton. To โrelax,โ Roger also enjoyed golf with friends at many of the courses in The Region as well as across the country. He very much enjoyed gardening in the summer, a love and hobby he instilled in his daughters and granddaughter, Amelia. Roger and Amelia often bonded over weeding, planting, and harvesting their beloved popcorn. He was a die-hard Cubs fan too who never let his pessimism about the team, or its success, override his love of watching them play.
Roger and Mary celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2019 with a surprise party, orchestrated by Roger and their daughters, Sarah and Rebecca. It was here that Roger said he had his greatest success: Heโd left Mary entirely speechless. Whether presiding over cases, debating the finer points of Star Wars lore, creating softball brackets, or popping popcorn for his granddaughter, Roger brought passion, principle, and a touch of playful mischief to all he did. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched, the rulings that shaped his community, and the enduring reminder that one can uphold the law while still embracing the Force, a hearty laugh, and the hope of next season.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Hazel Bradford; his brother, Alan Bradford; and his brother-in-law, Sidney Sanders.
He is survived by his wife, Mary; his daughters, Sarah (Tyler) Fletcher and Rebecca Bradford; his granddaughter, Amelia; his siblings, Madeline Sanders, Larry (Virginia) Bradford, Kendall (Rita) Bradford, and Vicki (Keith) Kahn; and sister-in-law, Lynn Betz. He is also survived by his goddaughter, Barbara (David) Wessman; nieces and nephews, Keith (Cindy) Sanders, Scott (Carrie) Sanders, Denise (Jim) Bernthold, Laura Bradford (Jerry Bragg), Karl (Kristen) Bradford, Sarah (Michael) Franssen, Marc (Lisa) Bradford, Beth (Mark) Schumacher, Wendy (Christopher) Harrison, Michael (Jaymi) Sewell, Jennifer Sewell, and Adam Sewell; as well as many grand nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.
May the Force be with him. And may Goofy greet him with a high five at the gates.
Visitation for Roger will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, June 19, 2025, with sharing of memories to begin at 7 p.m., at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 6941 Central Ave., Portage.
A funeral service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, June 20, at the funeral home with Pastor Scott Jones officiating. Additional visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday prior to the service at the funeral home.
Interment will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 21, at McCool Cemetery, Portage.
Memorial contributions may be made in Roger's memory to the Porter County Community Foundation, Portage High School Dollars for Scholars, 1401 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, IN 46383
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.ee-fh.com
