by Cynthia Price
Legal News
Roger Henningsen spent his life working for West Michigan Printing Company, which had published The Grand Rapids Legal News from 1937 to 2006. His father, Jack Henningsen, founded the paper.
Henningsen died Feb. 17 at the age of 67, just short of his Feb. 23 birthday.
Born in 1942 in Grand Rapids, Roger Henningsen graduated from Union High School in 1960. After receiving an associate’s degree from Ferris State College, and a brief stint in the Michigan National Guard, he came back to work at the printing company.
Henningsen retired in 2006, when Detroit Legal News Publishing LLC purchased the paper.
Henningsen served as the president of West Michigan Printing Company, but he was in partnership with his
brother Jon.
Henningsen lived a full and rewarding life. He married the woman with whom he attended his high school prom, Jackie (Simpson). The couple was married in 1963 and raised three children, Scott, Tammy, and Ken.
Henningsen clearly took pride in his role as a father. When son Ken returned from serving in the Gulf War, they offered the fathers or returning Navy personnel the opportunity to join their sons on an aircraft carrier for the trip home. Henningsen joined the trip in the Bahamas and felt
it was one of the high points of his life.
The Henningsens had moved to Marne early in their marriage, and in 1998, with their children gone, they moved to White Cloud. This afford Henningsen the opportunity to be in a more natural setting, which he had sought all of his life. The couple was also able to spend winters in Florida, in the Fort Meyers Beach area, after his 2006 retirement, before health problems resulted in hospital and nursing home stays.
Henningsen was active in his church, took a great deal of enjoyment from family camping trips, and loved to laugh. He is survived by eight grandchildren, along with a full family of relatives and friends.
Henningsen’s niece Judi Anderson still works at the Grand Rapids Legal News, providing continuity in the long history of the publication.
Memorial services were held at the end of February. Memorial contributions may be made to Oakhill Presbyterian Church, 1930 Leonard St. N.E., Grand Rapids 49505.
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