Roger Englander

In Memory of Roger Englander

It is with great sadness that I relate the passing of Roger William Englander, who died peacefully on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at the age of 85.

Despite my being a fellow Spizzwink and Yale Glee Club alumnus, I did not get to know Roger until the mid-80s, when I joined the University Glee Club of New York City – and my introduction was not to Englander the person but to Englander the voice! He was every choral conductor’s dream first tenor: clear, beautifully lyrical, and, despite being a yodeler, the consummate gentleman. We became lifelong friends, small-grouped together, won quartet contests together, reuned together, and, well, did all the things we expect out of Yalies who love to sing.

And how delightful it was to have him elected to the ’57 Whiffenpoofs shortly after he sang as their 50th reunion guest – it was truly one of the great moments of his life.

The magic of Roger’s singing will be with me always.

John B. Burke, Y’72
President, Yale Whiffenpoof Alumni Assn.
May 2020