Elton Roger Trent

Elton Roger Trent was born on November 18, 1940, in Manchester, Ohio (Adams County). On April 23, 2024, he closed his eyes in this world and went home to be with his Lord and Savior. He is survived by: his wife, Margaret Lloyd Trent; daughters Stephanie Trent Flowers (Shawn) and Stacy Trent Dick (Chris); grandchildren Katelyn Flowers Lantzy (Ryan), Michael Flowers, Christopher Dick, Cameron Dick, Carson Dick, and Corbin Dick; sister Sharon Trent Roberson (Col-ret. Tommy Roberson); Brothers-in-law John Lloyd and Thomas Lloyd (Joyce); and many beloved cousins and nephews. Proceeded in death by parents Wallace and Alise Trent. Blessed with parents who actively practiced their faith and encouraged his early Bible studies, Roger began each day with Bible stories and prayer. Roger was a man of unshakable Christian beliefs; with a brilliant mind; as well as super abilities in problem-solving. His faith trajectory began early so that the community was not surprised when he was ordained as a minister when he was 12 and was invited to preach at countless churches, revivals, and church camps in southern Ohio and Kentucky. Roger graduated from Manchester High School before going to The Ohio State University, where he earned four degrees, culminating in 1974 with a PHD in Psychology. He focused his expertise in Educational Measurement and Testing serving 38 years at the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and in retirement. While in college Roger began working in the ODE mailroom as a shipping clerk mailing schools the tests developed by the department. Thirty-eight years later, in 2000, he retired as ODE’S Executive Director Emeritus for Assessment. Roger also served as technical advisor for large-scale educational assessment in several states; was Ohio’s expert witness in legal matters in Federal District Courts related to Ohio’s statewide testing programs; served two years as Vice President for Operations and Development at American Testronics, a test publishing firm, in Iowa City, Iowa. Roger joined Bethel Presbyterian Church in 1986. He has been active with Small Groups, Adult Sunday School, MAXI (seniors), Prayer Corner Leader, and as a Congregational Care visitor. He served on Bethel’s Associate Pastor Search Committee that brought Bethel Pastor Michael Horst in 2016. Roger’s favorite activities included: traveling with Margaret; reading historic non-fiction and mystery novels; attending school concerts, games, and competitions; and taking grandkids on “field trips” to Revolutionary or Civil War sites, history and science museums, zoos/aquariums, The Wilds, College Football Hall of Fame, and COSI classes/exhibits. Throughout his life Roger focused on his faith, family, and friends, and used his God-given abilities and skills to serve the Lord and make a difference in the educational process in the next generation. The Celebration of Life will be held at Bethel Presbyterian Church, 1735 Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio 43220, on Monday, April 29, 2024, with visitation at 9:30 am, the service at 10:30 am, and the interment to follow. A Bethel luncheon will be provided after the interment. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences. Funeral arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST.