Behind every lot at RoVer's Roost is a story — decades of travel, second careers, volunteer projects, and friendships that started at the clubhouse. This page is where we highlight our leaseholders and share a bit of what makes our community special. Check back often — we'll be adding new profiles throughout the season.
Leaseholders since 2003
Gerri and John Beckman are the epitome of what RoVer's Roost is all about. When they first got their lot in the park back in 2003, Gerri was looking for something to keep her busy. She noticed the park's two phone booths (long since removed) were looking pretty shabby. "You know how things get in the summer here. They were full of crickets and dirt," she said. Gerri jumped right in, cleaning the phone booths from top to bottom — right down to replacing the shades. They haven't stopped working and volunteering since, serving on committees for landscaping, PCM (Park Construction & Maintenance), appraisal, kitchen, and more. Gerri has also served as vice president and president of the park's board of directors, and both have served on Roof Raisers committees, helping bring in funds to support the park and keep M&O (Maintenance & Operations) fees down.
Park members who have taken part in the Follies auction know that each year John carves a boot to be auctioned off, with bids ranging anywhere from $100 to $500. John and Gerri's philosophy is simple: when you're part of a Co-Op, you serve, and you help out monetarily too.
Years ago, John's woodcarving was even more prolific — he made more than 600 wooden watches, each with a working wristband and a real watch face set into a carved wooden recess. Every one was signed and numbered. Plenty of his handiwork is on display in their fifth wheel today, including a carved portrait of Gerri.
Back when they were both still working in Phoenix, they followed their passion for tent camping, getting off work Friday and heading out by Saturday morning to wherever their imagination sent them. Over the years, they camped their way through nearly every nook and cranny of Arizona, one weekend at a time.
When Gerri's mom fell ill and needed dialysis, they bought her a mobile home nearby to be close, and picked up a 16-foot camper so she could share their love of camping. Every Friday, after a grueling dialysis session, they'd pick her up and head out to camp somewhere for the weekend. She'd rest and recover in the camper Friday night, then spend the rest of the weekend enjoying herself with them. By all accounts, she had the time of her life.
Gerri and John began RVing full-time in 2000, deciding their route as they went. Once, at a T in the road, they simply flipped a coin to decide which way to go. A well-worn atlas still serves as the map of their travels, with routes, trips, and years all color-coded inside its pages.
These days they don't travel much anymore, but they're far from slowing down. Volunteering, woodcarving, and going on cruises keep them active and busy. When a back injury kept John from his usual exercise, his doctor told him to simply walk — so when he turned 92, he and Gerri started walking together every day. They keep it to six days a week now. As John puts it, "If God gets a day off, I do too."
Know a leaseholder we should feature?
Nominate a neighbor — or share your own story — and we'll add a profile to this page.