Roger Tessman, a United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer, died Sunday after a brief illness. He was 84.

Tessman, of Plymouth, Wis., was elected to the USBC Hall of Fame for meritorious service in 1994 after more than 30 years in the bowling industry.

He joined the American Bowling Congress in 1960, working in the Rules Department. He was the head of the department from 1972-77 before moving into the role of ABC Assistant Secretary-Treasurer from 1977-82.

In 1982, Tessman was named executive director of ABC, a position he held until he retired from the organization in 1989.

From 1984 to 1995, Tessman served as president of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs, recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing body for the sport. He helped successfully direct the effort to gain membership for bowling in the United States Olympic Committee. In 1986, he led another successful effort to have the sport awarded medal status in the Pan American Games and helped put the sport in the 1988 Seoul Games.

In 2006, while making his 50th appearance at the USBC Open Championships, Tessman reflected on his career in the bowling industry.

"I think of this like a relay race," Tessman said. "You get the baton and work hard and then pass it on. If you did a good job, there will be people in place to take the baton and keep things moving in the right direction."

Tessman also is a member of the St. Paul USBC and Port Washington (Wis.) Bowling Association Halls of Fame.

There will be no public service, per Tessman's request. Interment will be at Fort Snelling National Veterans Cemetery in St. Paul, Minn.