Roger Layton Teigen

Roger Layton Teigen, 87, of Norman, Oklahoma peacefully passed away surrounded by family members on Monday, July 22, 2024, following a long-term illness. Celebration of Life services for Roger Teigen will be held in the future at First Christian Church, Norman, Oklahoma, with military honors. Pastor David Spain will be officiating. Services are under the direction of Tribute Funeral Home. 

 Roger L. Teigen was born June 15, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa to Vivian M. Teigen. He married Jane Teigen on June 10, 1960, and they later divorced. He married Betty S. Teigen in 1988, who passed away in 2012. 

 Roger had a love of aviation and exploration using several aircraft and RVs over his lifetime. He travelled the world to explore, to do business and went on numerous photo safaris to Africa and India. He was an avid snow skier and loved to tackle the slopes.

 Roger was a lifetime loyal OU fan and financial supporter starting with his successful career in radio working at stations: KNOR, Norman, OK; KUSH in Cushing, OK; and KWHW in Altus, OK. He was even the OU stadium announcer at Owens Field for the Sooners from 1960-62.

 Roger manifested his love for Boomer Sooner and Crimson and Cream by funding OU scholarships as a recognized Seed Sower Society member and attending all sporting events. He wore his amazing collection of OU shirts and hats daily and was proudly always ready to talk about OU athletics. 

 Roger was a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word. Starting in Altus, Roger opened a sporting goods store and grew the business into four sporting goods stores in SW Oklahoma and NW Texas. He started commercial sales and sold to High Schools and Junior Highs across the Texoma Region. He built worldwide brands behind OK1 and Altus Athletics, becoming the largest commercial employer in Altus. 

 Roger’s inspiration stemmed from fulfilling an order for 48 leather weightlifting belts for high schools. The only manufacturer cut leather for the weightlifting belts once a year. Roger needed them in a week. So, he and a few friends set out to cut weightlifting belts from bends of leather, rivet roller buckles to them, box them up, and ship them out. It was from this group of orders Roger started Altus Athletic Manufacturing Co, of Altus, Oklahoma. Initially he focused on the weightlifting belt business, and expanded to supply athletic equipment: belts, gloves, joint wraps, and supports. He grew his business until at one meeting in Washington D.C. the US Department of Commerce told him he was the free world’s largest manufacturer of weightlifting belts. He expanded his company and introduced safety equipment: gloves, belts, joint supports and knee pads. Later he added traffic safety vests and grew sales and production to 24/7, five days a week. He sold the safety division in 2011, and closed all operations in 2015.

 His father, Oscar C. Teigen and his mother Vivian M. Teigen, and his wife, Sherry, preceded Roger in death.

 Roger Teigen is survived by his brothers: William K. Teigen of Dallas, Texas, and James D. Teigen of Abilene, Texas. His daughter: Pam Click of Norman, OK, her son Taylor Click, and daughter Haley Click; his daughter Patty Teigen of Iowa City, IA; granddaughter Meredith Erdean DeLong, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

 In lieu of flowers, Roger requested memorials be made to Shriner Hospitals for Children, or The Salvation Army.

 Forever Boomer Sooner!