Person:Roy Veregge (1)

Biography of Roy Scott Veregge

Roy Scott Veregge was born 3 Oct. 1899 in Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, the son of Albert James Veregge and Mary Elizabeth Ambrose.

Roy had just turned 18 years of age as World War I was ending, so he never entered the military (note picture at top of page is Roy at age 18). He spent most of his teenage years working in his father's sheet metal shop in Antioch, California. Because he was working and helping the family to make ends meet in the tough times of the 1920's and 1930's, Roy did not go to High School or College, but did further his education by entering a well-respected business school in San Francisco.

Roy married Grace Zeralda Zent, daughter of Isaac Chase Zent and Jessie Edith Cole, on 6 July, 1920 in Stockton, Sacramento County, California. Roy and Grace had two children, June Alberta Veregge, born 10 March, 1921 and Elwood C. "Bud" Veregge, born 31 July 1922, both were born in Stockton, California.

Roy owned "Pittsburg Sheet Metal Works" in Pittsburg, California for 55 years, and throughout his life showed a particular skill in working with metal and wood. This was a trade that Roy learned from his father, who also owned "Antioch Sheet Metal Works" in Antioch, California.

During the Great Depression, Roy's business went bankrupt, was foreclosed on and all of his equipment seized by a company known for buying equipment at bargain prices from failed businesses and re-selling it, known as the "40 thieves". After the depression, Roy asked the head of the company that had seized his sheet metal equipment if he could get them back and the man (who took a liking to Roy), told him that his equipment would be returned to his original location within the next few days. The agreement between Roy and the head of the company was for Roy to pay him back "when he could", but with hard work, Roy was able to pay the man back within a year and one-half. Roy also was able to pay everyone back that he owned money when he filed for bankruptcy some years before.

Roy and Grace Veregge lived for 50-60 years at their home in Pittsburg, California at 430 E. 10th Street after Roy sold his sheet metal working business. They moved from Pittsburg about 1948 to nearby Concord, California, where they lived on the corner of Laurel Drive and Ayers Road. After living several years in Concord, they moved to a house on the Russian River in Monte Rio, California, which was located near Sebastopool. Roy owned two parcels of property, one which their home was situated in Villa Grande, and the other that was located nearby on a hillside. Roy and Grace's home was a frequent "summer vacation visiting spot" for their grandchildren, when the Russian River was at its low-point, with some good swimming holes for all to enjoy.

Roy was an avid fisherman and hunter, and loved to take his son fishing in nearby streams and hunting at Roy's brother Charlie's house in Merced, California.

Roy was very charitable and helped several people in need during his lifetime. He helped to support several of his siblings (he came from a family of 11 children) during this lifetime, especially his brothers Harry and Bert Veregge, who lived nearby in Pittsburg and Antioch, California.

Roy Scott Veregge passed away peacefully on 10 Jan. 1981 in Santa Rosa, California, with his wife Grace and daughter June, by his side.

Obituary of Roy Scott Veregge

From Tributes.com:

Roy Veregge 1899 - 1981

Roy was born on October 3, 1899 and passed away in January 1981.

Roy was last known to be living in Villa Grande, California.

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Social Security Death Index.

   Roy VEREGGE
   Birth Date: 3 Oct 1899
   Death Date: Jan 1981
   Social Security Number: 572-24-7429
   State or Territory Where Number Was Issued: California
   Death Residence Localities
   ZIP Code: 95486
   Localities: Sheridan, Sonoma, California
   Villa Grande, Sonoma, California

2.   United States. 1910 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T624).

   1910 United States Federal Census
   Name: Roy G Veregge
   [Roy S Veregge]
   Age in 1910: 10
   Birth Year: abt 1900
   Birthplace: Indiana
   Home in 1910: Oakland Ward 1, Alameda, California
   Race: White
   Gender: Male
   Relation to Head of House: Son
   Marital Status: Single
   Father's Name: Albert J Veregge
   Father's Birthplace: Indiana
   Mother's Name: Mary E Veregge
   Mother's Birthplace: Illinois
   
   Household Members: Name Age
   Albert J Veregge 43
   Mary E Veregge 45
   Charlie C Veregge 20
   Harry C Veregge 17
   Fern F Veregge 14
   Bert Veregge 13
   Roy G Veregge 10
   Nellie M Veregge 8

3.   United States. 1930 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T626).

   1930 United States Federal Census
   Name: Roy S Verregge
   [Roy S Verreggs]
   Gender: Male
   Birth Year: abt 1900
   Birthplace: Indiana
   Race: White
   Home in 1930: Pittsburg, Contra Costa, California
   Marital Status: Married
   Relation to Head of House: Head
   Spouse's Name: Grace Z Verregge
   Father's Birthplace: Indiana
   Mother's Birthplace: Illinois
   
   Household Members: Name Age
   Roy S Verregge 30
   Grace Z Verregge 30
   June A Verregge 9
   Ellwood C Verregge 7

4.   Stockton, San Joaquin County, California. Stockton Independent.