Birth date: Nov 21, 1954 Death date: Nov 30, 2020
Roger Alberto Dabalsa passed away November 30th, 2020 at the age of 66, after a long battle with illnesses associated with quadriplegia resulting from a negligent surgery in 1983. He was surrounded by his surviving family and grou Read Obituary
Roger and I met at the college and career Sunday School class at the 1st Baptist Church of Merritt Island, Florida just after we both finished college in 1979. Roger was one of the most popular guys at our church; always smiling, pleasant, talkative,and always friendly especially with the young attractive single ladies. For the last 40 years Roger and I communicated by phone usually with Richard or a nurse communicating to me Roger's responses. My world will be less happy now that Roger has gone on to be with the Lord. God bless you Roger.
To Richard and the rest of the Dabalsa family, please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dear brother Roger. We know how special he was for all of you and the extraordinary individual that he was. May he rest in peace.
Jose A. Nochea
My deepest condolences and Prayers to the Dabalsa family during this difficult time. Roger always had a beautiful smile on his face. He will always be in your heart and in your memories. May he RIP. Love Sonia Fernandez and family
Roger was my big cousin and I so looked up to him as he was years ahead with his wisdom. It bothers me that the most beautiful mind was trapped because of medical negligence. Roger never wanted pity, on the contrary, he would comfort me when I felt bad about his situation. That smile was contagious. Those eyes were so expressive. Living in NJ and communicating via phone, I will most certainly miss hearing his rubber ducky 🙏🏼❤️ RIP couz.
I cherish my friendship of over 47 years. We met in college at Georgia Tech. We were both young believers in Jesus Christ. We have maintained our communication all these years and through many travels and family situations. Even though he couldn't speak verbally he still spoke volumes. He shared his faith on the computer and with his nurse. I never knew when he would call but I always looked forward to them. I will miss his "talks" but know I shall see him face to face in heaven and have a joyful conversation with and our Lord and Savior. See you then Roger!
Dear Roger,
It’s with a heavy 💜 that I write these words.
I have lost a great friend, yes a friend.
I was your nurse for years and gave you the best care that I could, but more than that I always consider you a friend, after all, we spend lots of nights together, no need to explain!😊
Remember when I used to whisper to you trying to help you go back to sleep.
Remember when you used to complain the nurses fell asleep and would not respond to your call, as always, I tried to make you laugh and told you to hook up an electrical wire and sap them! Of course, we both laughed it off!!!! Loving memories!!!
Enjoy Diego’s company. I can see him welcoming you with his big smile and hugging you!
Rest In Peace Roger💕
Cecilia Ashworth, RN.
I am overcome with great sorrow as I pen these words… The world is a lot less brighter at Roger Dabalsa’s passing. Heaven has gained a radiant star. I know I have lost a friend, not only to me, but also to my husband and children who know Roger’s story well.
I met Roger shortly after his tragedy at the hands of a negligent surgeon. We both attended the same fellowship of believers in Miami at the time. Through his mother, father, and nurse we held great conversations using the coding system he developed to communicate. I learned of his brilliant mind, his love for all things Georgia Tech, and his dedication to the NASA Space program, particularly the Shuttle. Most importantly, I learned of his great love for Jesus and Roger’s gift of encouragement to all fellow souls. Besides our good conversations, I feel blessed that, during those early years, I got to see Roger’s face front and center every time we met for singing and worship at our little church building. I was part of the worship team at the time, and Roger always sat in the front row, center aisle. If any member of the worship team felt a little downhearted or challenged to sing and lift the hearts of others on any particular day, they need only to look at Roger’s smile for inspiration. His smile was singing out loud back to us. Such was his overwhelming influence over us, that I felt compelled to write his story and send it to Joni Eareckson Tada, a fellow quadriplegic, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization "accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community." To all our surprise, Joni shared Roger’s story on her radio show, and Roger was able to hear it.
Even though our family moved away in 1998, Roger stayed in touch, sending Christmas Cards and emailing every holiday, especially Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. He was the most faithful friend we had left from all our years (14 years) at The Rock Christian Church of Miami. Roger and I corresponded often via email, as he found this the easiest way to communicate. He knew and inquired often about each one of my children. He knew their stories and their struggles, and he always promised to pray for them. He also felt safe to share his own story of joys, heartbreaks, and poems he had written. Did you know that Roger was a poet? One thing is certain, when you communicated with Roger, he was present. You had his whole attention, and he remembered everything.
Roger, I really don’t know how this works, if you can actually hear us as we remember you today, but I am certain of this: You have jumped out of that wheelchair that bound you for 37 years, and are running into the arms of our Lord Jesus, ready to dance and sing out loud with a clear voice. I look forward to the day we can continue our great conversations, put music to your poems, and sing them aloud together.
With great love and gratitude, your friend in His Grip,
Mary Jo van Dalen
