Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
Friday was a perfect day for a dedication and memorial in Marlinton. The sky was blue and the temperature was warm for the ceremony at the Roger L. Trusler Memorial Park, formerly known as the First Avenue mini-park.
Trusler was a dedicated Pocahontas countian who spent his life ensuring that students here got the best education possible, that communities had enrichment and his chosen hometown of Marlinton was the gem at the center of the county.
He was also a member of Marlinton Town Council.
Trusler passed away August 9, 2024. His loss was felt by all and his fellow councilmembers and Mayor Sam Felton knew they had to honor their friend and colleague for all that he had done for Marlinton and Pocahontas County.
Council set to work demolishing the former pavilion and replacing it with a new one. Donations were made by local organizations, businesses and individuals to ensure the park lived up to its namesake. Many volunteer hours went into preparing the site for its dedication on July 31.
A crowd gathered to honor Trusler’s memory and celebrate the park.
Felton opened the dedication with an address about Trusler.
“Roger’s legacy of service is what prompted this renewal and the renaming of this facility,” he said. “Roger was our fellow council person. His lifelong service was unwavering. His countless contributions to the town of Marlinton and, in fact, the people of Pocahontas County, cannot be overstated.
“Roger believed that every challenge presented a new opportunity,” he continued. “May his kindness, leadership and servant’s heart continue to inspire all who visit this park.”
Felton introduced Trusler’s brother, A.G., who shared his gratitude to everyone who helped make the park possible and shared stories about times he visited his brother in Pocahontas County.
The Trusler brothers grew up in Buckhannon but would travel with their dad to Marlinton when he brought livestock to the stockyard sales.
“Even when we were little boys, Roger knew that this was a special place,” A.G. said. “Dad would often bring us with him to the county to the Marlinton stockyards on Tuesdays and of course, that meant a trip to French’s Diner on Main Street for a good country meal.”
The Truslers wanted Roger to be the first generation of the family to attend college and while Roger was hesitant, once he started attending West Virginia Wesleyan College, he found that he was excited to earn his degree and get a higher education.
“So often he rode his horse to campus, and he tied it to a post,” A.G. said. “While Roger was at Wesleyan, he got the bug to learn, and he graduated with a degree in education.”
Trusler went on to attend West Virginia University and received a master’s degree in guidance and counseling. He also received a master’s in school administration from Marshall University.
“After graduating from West Virginia University, he applied for a job in Pocahontas County,” A.G. said. “I remember going with him to his first interview with the Pocahontas County Board of Education. We slept in the back of his old Ford station wagon at Sherwood Lake. The next morning, he went to the interview and got the job. He served under six superintendents, some of them were even nominated for national superintendent of the year.”
Trusler served as director of special education and director of federal programs for the BOE and worked diligently to ensure that Pocahontas County had one of the best school systems in the state and the country. Trusler initiated the nursing program through Bluefield State.
“Roger also developed the program to lower the drop-out rate by having school bus drivers work with the children,” A.G. said. “This project was a great success. The U.S. education department presented him with one of their highest awards. They also sent him to New York, New Orleans and San Francisco to spread the good word across the country on how to keep kids in school.”
A.G. also recalled several trips he took to visit Roger and how optimistic and enthusiastic he was about places and people of Pocahontas County.
Fifty years ago, when they were in their 20s, A.G. said Roger invited him to go skiing at Snowshoe.
“I can still remember him driving on that country gravel road up the mountain,” he said. “I thought we’d never get there.”
After their day of skiing – Roger on Cupp Run, A.G. on the beginner slopes – Roger asked his brother what he thought of the place. A.G. recalled that he said the place will never work, but Roger knew in his heart that Snowshoe would be a success.
Many years later, A.G. got a call from Roger who told him that the new owners were going to make the ski area successful.
A.G. recalled two trips to attend Pioneer Days – both moments he will never forget.
“My first trip to Pioneer Days, he said, ‘you’ve got to come’ and we square danced in the streets and listened to the great bluegrass bands until almost midnight,” he said. “The second trip to Pioneer Days I remember, Roger called and said, ‘you need to get here; we have the last train ride to Cass.’ I came down, we boarded the train and a few miles up the track, the train derailed. Thank God we didn’t go in the river.”
Roger, always the optimist told A.G. not to worry, the walk to Cass was only a couple miles, they could make it.
Remembering another time he received a call from Roger, A.G. talked about Roger’s run for Marlinton Town Council. He asked his brother if he was crazy, but said Roger was ready to serve his community and help improve it.
“He said, ‘I promised the mayor that I’d run and we are going to make Marlinton shine,’” A.G. said. “Roger’s message to us all is to work to keep all of Pocahontas County strong for future generations. In his memory, I ask you to contribute in whatever way you can – either as a volunteer or as a donor – to help preserve what makes Pocahontas County special.”
In closing, A.G. said he was going to get a call from Roger.
“Tonight he’ll say, ‘I appreciate you coming down to the park; I told you it was going to shine and, A.G., it will shine forever because now it belongs to the people of Pocahontas County,’” A.G. said.
Senators Bill Hamilton and Robbie Morris – who both helped get state funding for the park – spoke and thanked all those involved for making the park what it is.
Felton presented A.G. with a plaque of a letter stating the following:
“On this day, we proudly dedicate Roger L. Trusler Memorial Park in honor of Roger L. Trusler who’s unwavering commitment, leadership and service left a lasting impact upon the town of Marlinton and the people of Pocahontas County.
“Roger’s dedication to improving our community, his generous spirit, his love for the citizens of Marlinton will be forever remembered through this place of gathering, recreation and fellowship. And may this park serve as a lasting tribute to his legacy as a reminder one person’s service can enrich the lives of generations to come.
“Dedicated this 31st day of July 2026, by the Town of Marlinton with sincere gratitude and appreciation.”
The park was dedicated with a ribbon cutting and refreshments were catered by Dari-Land, in Marlinton.
