By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

WESTWOOD - Real estate appraiser and musician Roger Trauth died Jan. 3 of colon cancer at Christ Hospital. The Westwood resident was 57.

"After his colon cancer diagnosis, Roger's focus was totally centered around his family and church," said his wife, Debra. "His devotion to our son was above and beyond the call of anyone going through chemotherapy treatment. He never missed a soccer, basketball or baseball game, a concert at school or even stopped volunteering for any school event."

She said he faced his weekly chemotherapy treatments as if they were a social event and was an inspiration to anyone he came in contact with.

He was born in 1946 to Rita and Lee Trauth of Price Hill and grew up in College Hill. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1964. He went on to earn an associate degree at the University of Cincinnati and his bachelor's degree from the College-Conservatory of Music-Division of Radio and Television in 1969.

He was a five-year member of the UC Band and played the tuba. He also worked for the student radio station, WFIB.

After college, he became media coordinator at Elder High School and worked with his father, Lee, long-time Elder music teacher and marching band director.

In 1972, Mr. Trauth became a real estate appraiser. He became a licensed real estate broker in Ohio and Kentucky. He taught real estate appraisal at UC's Raymond Walters College in the mid-1980s.

"I've known him for at least 35 years. He was just one of the kindest, gentlest persons I've ever known," said close friend and business associate, Gary Wright. "He was a talented guy. He and I played in a rock band when I was in high school and he in college."

Memberships included the American Institute of Appraisers, and the American Society of Appraisers. He was the former president of the Dayton-Cincinnati chapter of the ASA and for many years, he sat on the International Board of Examiners for the ASA.

Between 1962 and 1985, he played in several local musical bands, most notably as the bass player in the Joe Dixon Trio. He also was an accomplished trumpet, guitar and keyboard player.

In 1991 he married Debra Greiman of North College Hill, whom he met on a blind date. They were married in Hawaii.

He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Clifton where he was a member of the new building committee, the Parent Teacher League and was an active school volunteer.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Danny, at home; his mother, Rita Trauth of Cincinnati; mother-in-law, Betty Greiman of North College Hill, and a brother-in-law Robert Greiman Jr. of Knoxville, Tenn.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Danny Trauth Education Fund c/o Advantage Bank, 3002 Harrison Ave., Cincinnati 45211.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com