Roger Billica, M.D.

Dr. Roger Billica, M.D., was born August 22, 1954, to Dr. Harry and Ruth Billica in Greenville, North Carolina. Growing up, he was active in swimming and band and was also very active in Boy Scouts. As an Eagle Scout, he was very busy in the Order of the Arrow and working at summer camp for the East Carolina Council. He was awarded the Morehead Scholarship to the University of North Carolina where he majored in chemistry and played French horn in the orchestra. He attended the UNC School of Medicine from 1976–1980. He completed a family medicine residency in Phoenix, Arizona, at Good Samaritan Medical Center from 1980–1983 where he also served as Chief Resident in his third year. As the physician at the South Rim Grand Canyon Clinic, Roger performed helicopter rescues and saved lives on the trails of the Grand Canyon. He then served four years in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of major. As a flight surgeon for Luke Air Force Base’s F-15 and F-16 squadrons, he kept our nation’s pilots flying. As Chief of Medical Operations Branch at the NASA Johnson Space Center, Roger saw to the health of our nation’s astronauts and their families. He manned the Flight Surgeon console in Mission Control for 67 space shuttle missions and cared for astronauts returning from space. Roger had a major impact on the success of the Shuttle-Mir program, which required several trips to Russia. He directed the development of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) that today saves lives everywhere. He developed emergency techniques and surgical procedures for use in zero-gravity environments such as the Space Shuttle and International Space Station. In 2019, Roger was inducted into the Space Technology Hall of Fame for his work in developing the SpiraFlex Interim Resistive Exercise Device (IRED) which enabled astronauts to maintain muscle and bone health in space. He met his wife, Linda, at NASA in 1990, and they married in 1991. Their beautiful daughter, Caitlin, was born in 2000 and promptly wrapped her dad around her little finger. In 2001, Roger left NASA and moved his family to Fort Collins, Colorado, where he founded TriLife Health. He thus began his journey of Functional, Integrative, and Preventive Medicine. He became known for his innovation and great care for patients. At the time of Roger’s passing, TriLife Health had grown to include three physicians as a busy medical practice. To mention other notable experiences, Roger briefed a U.S. president at Johnson Space Center and once did a personal favor for the Israeli prime minister. He also appeared on a national morning news show. He really loved Colorado and being outdoors in the mountains. Some of his other interests included painting, whitewater rafting, hunting, reading, and watching reruns of old Western TV shows. He loved vacationing with his family, playing mini golf, and doing trivia questions during supper. As a dad, he was loving, supportive, fun, and humorous. He always encouraged his daughter’s creative pursuits, including helping her type up and illustrate a story, and he frequently interacted with Caitlin’s stuffed animals. He is survived by his wife Linda and daughter Caitlin; his brother Bill, sister-in-law Karen, nephew Brad, and niece Jenna; his brother Barry and sister-in-law Anne. He is preceded in death by his brother Glenn and his parents Harry and Ruth. Roger lived the Word of Jesus Christ in his daily life and practice. He often gave away his time to his patients and poured out his life for his patients unto the end. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come (II Timothy 4:6)

Roger Billica, M.D.

August 22, 1954 - November 16, 2025