Rodger Ernest Maus

1932 - 2017

September 15, 1932 - March 16, 2017 Rodger Ernest Maus was born September 15, 1932 in Ogden, Utah to Everett Rollow and Billie Sager. He was raised with his older brother, Rick, and his younger half-sister, Sharon, in Pacific Palisades, by his mother and stepfather Rudy Maus. Rodger graduated from University High School, in West Los Angeles, in 1950. In 1953, he joined the Army Reserve, attended Class #20 of NCO School in the 1st Calvary Division, and proudly served in the Korean War. Rodger started his career in the motion picture industry as a mail boy at 20th Century Fox before working his way into the blueprint room under Lyle Wheeler (Gone with the Wind). During the 1960s he worked extensively for Producer Irwin Allen on his science-fiction series, "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea," "Lost in Space," "The Time Tunnel," and "Land of the Giants." Two of Rodger's most famous creations were the 'Space Pod,' a small scout-craft for "Lost in Space" (based on the NASA Lunar Module), and the 'Spindrift' for "Land of the Giants." He also worked as an Art Director on "M*A*S*H" before becoming a Production Designer in the movies. Rodger worked on ten Blake Edwards films, most notably, "10" and "Victor/Victoria." In 2002, he was nominated for Outstanding Art Direction on "The Mists of Avalon." In 1995, Rodger won an Emmy for "Scarlett" (sequel to Gone with the Wind). And, in 1983, he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration on "Victor/Victoria." Rodger's favorite pastime was playing polo at Will Rogers State Park. He was a simple and sweet soul with a positive attitude, and a true gentleman, who was loved by many people. Rodger lived most of his life in Santa Monica, but moved to Scottsdale in 2004 to help his mother to the end of her life. In 2013, he moved back to California to live closer to his family and children. Rodger died March 16, 2017 in Palm Springs. He is survived by his four children Lisa Warren, Rodger Casey Maus, Kimberly Maus Weishoff, and Kirby Maus, as well as his goddaughter, Susan Young, and his godson, Maxwell Young.