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CALUMET -- Roger Earl Rintala of Calumet, MI, age 76, passed away on July 11, 2026 at Portage Pointe in Hancock. Roger was born on November 29, 1949 in Hancock, MI to Earl and Aune (Koski) Rintala. He graduated from Hancock High School in 1968. After high school, he earned a Civil Engineering associate degree from Michigan Technological University.
Roger married Sandra (Strzyzykowski) on July 11, 1970 in Hancock, MI. After a brief period of time out of the Copper Country, they settled in Calumet where they raised their 2 sons, Jasen and Jesse.
Roger worked as a construction site inspector, materials tester and drafter among other civil engineering related duties for multiple companies (Michigan DOT, Peckham Engineering, Malinowski Engineering) prior to spending the majority of his career at UP Engineers and
Architects in Houghton, MI where he worked until his retirement.
Roger loved the outdoors and making firewood. He also had a passion for mechanic work and working on cars. He loved muscle cars and the Pontiac GTOs he had which he regretted parting ways with earlier in life. With the help of many family and friends, Roger built the current family home in the early 1990s in Calumet. Roger also had a love and passion for hockey. He enjoyed playing Slo-puck in Calumet for many years until his health would not allow him to. He also was a dedicated coach in the Calumet hockey association youth program for 13 years which included coaching his sons as they went through the program. He served as an assistant coach of the Calumet Wolverines for
several years starting in 1998.
Roger served on the Calumet hockey association board for 26 years including 10 years as board president. He also was a rink attendant and Zamboni driver at the Calumet Coliseum. He was honored for his dedication and service to hockey in Calumet with the Paul Lehto Service award in 2017. Roger loved to watch hockey, attend local games, and be around the rink. It was like his second home. He was honored to be able to attend the 2019 Kraft Hockeyville NHL preseason game held at the Calumet Coliseum between the Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. His hard work and dedication to the hockey community was felt by many and has had a lasting impact.
Roger will be missed by many family members and friends in the community, but his service and impacts will not be forgotten.
Roger is preceded in death by his parents Earl & Aune Rintala, his sister Sandra Backon along with other relatives and family members.
Roger is survived by his wife of 56 years Sandra, his children Jasen (Amy) Rintala, Jesse (Stephanie) Rintala, and grandchildren Easten, Tysen, Paxten, Axel, Eleanor & Sloane Rintala, his sister Christine (James) Lickman, and many other family and friends.
A memorial service for Roger Rintala will be held at the Siskiwit in Calumet at 1pm on Saturday August 1, 2026. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 11am to 1pm.
In lieu of flowers or other gifts, the family has asked to please consider a donation to the Calumet Coliseum in memory of Roger. Donations can be made at https://gofund.me/b66761e75 or go to Gofundme.com, search Roger Rintala, and click on
Donate in Roger Rintala’s Memory to the Calumet Colosseum.
Erickson-Crowley-Peterson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences for the family can be left at www.ericksoncrowleypeterson.com