The family of Richard "Rick" Rogers regrets to inform his friends of his passing at the age of 76 on
Thursday, May 29th. Rick passed away peacefully at home in his sleep.
Rick was born to Sam and Theda Rogers on March 20, 1949 in Muncie, IN. Rick spent his early years
in Muncie before the family moved to Elwood during his adolescence. His plans to become a tool
and die maker were radically changed when he was critically injured in a motor vehicle accident his
senior year of high school, resulting in multiple broken bones and him spending several months in a
body cast. Instead, he took up a career in the newspaper business, working for the Elwood Call
Leader followed by the Marion Chronicle-Tribune. In 1985, Rick accepted a position with Gannett in
Phoenix, Arizona, leaving his native Midwest for the warm climate of the desert southwest. He
would spend the rest of his career with Gannett, as the IT Director for Unified Systems/USA TODAY,
finally retiring in 2009. Post retirement, Rick stayed busy with his new laser cutting business,
working alongside his Classic Car friends, managing the website for his high school class, and
volunteering with Arizona Golden Rescue, a Golden Retriever rescue organization.
In addition to his family, Rick was passionate about auto racing (especially the Indianapolis 500),
Corvettes, drums and his Golden Retrievers. He also enjoyed water skiing, camping, computers, Star
Trek, MASH, and telling bad jokes.
Rick is survived by his wife, Jeanine, brother Ronald, sons Nicholas (Erin), Jonathan (Summer) and
Cameron, as well as six grandchildren. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and
friend, and he will be dearly missed. Per his wishes, Rick will be laid to rest in a private gravesite
service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Arizona Golden Rescue
(www.arizonagoldenrescue.org).