Roger Sherman McCollester was born on August 13, 1923. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy, Class of 1941, he attended Yale University. In 1942, he interrupted his studies to enlist in the Aviation Cadet Corps of the United States Army Air Force. He was a crew commander in the 724th Squadron of the 451st Bomb Group and flew forty combat missions over the Balkans, southern Germany and Austria, northern Italy, and southern France. He received an air medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After his discharge, he returned to Yale in July, 1945 and completed his studies for a B.A. in International Relations and Economics (associating with the Class of 1945). He worked on Wall Street in investment banking and mutual funds from 1951 to 1974. From 1977 to his retirement, he was a pension consultant and insurance agent.