VICTOR DAVID ROGERS

Mueller's Chapel of the Falls

Victor David Rogers, age 98, died Monday, September 7, 2009. He was born in Seattle, Washington on September 19, 1910 to Orion William and Electa Case Rogers and was one of eight children. He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Lena; sons Ken (Galina) of Salmon, Idaho, Willie of Kennewick, and daughter Kathy (Larry) Ayre of Finley; grandsons Andrey Tolmachev and Ilya Rogers of Salmon, Idaho, Christopher (Amy) Ayre of Clovis, New Mexico, and Steven (Meghann) Ayre of Cary, North Carolina; grandchildren Hannah, Kasey, Megan and Hudson Ayre of Clovis, New Mexico; brother, Harold of Whittier, California, and sister Helen (Lloyd) Skamstad of Oklahoma City; and many nieces and nephews.

When Victor was 2 years old his family moved by train to Crane, Oregon to homestead on 160 acres. After 5 years, the family of ten moved to Milton-Freewater, Oregon, a trip of 300 miles, traveling by horse-drawn wagon. Victor graduated from high school in Walla Walla in 1930 and from WSU in Pullman in 1937 with a degree in agriculture education. Upon graduation, he moved to Kennewick, marrying Lena in 1940. Starting in 1937, he taught vocational agriculture at Kennewick High School for 15 years, and taught at McLaughlin Junior High School in Pasco for 8 years. For 12 years, he worked selling fertilizer, doing soil testing, and helping with a research program in connection with Horse Heaven wheat growers. He also did house painting with a son. Upon 'retirement' in 1972, he spent another 13 years delivering prescriptions for two Kennewick pharmacies. Victor lived in Kennewick for 72 years. Throughout all of his life in Kennewick, he was very active at Columbia Community Church where he was a member. Living in faithfulness to God and His word was always his first desire.

When Victor was in his 80's, he was inspired by a book written by Ken Cooper on aerobic exercise and walking. He began, gradually at first, walking distances aerobically. When he was 90 years old, in the year 2001, he signed up for the first time to walk in the 71Ú2-mile Bloomsday race in Spokane. He walked and completed the annual Bloomsday race seven more times, missing one time in 2005 when he had a severe case of pneumonia. In 2006, when he was 95, he was the oldest participant who completed the course on his own power. When he was 97 in 2008, he was the oldest person ever to compete in Bloomsday. He walked and finished again in 2009, accompanied by a wonderful group of supportive relatives and friends. Accompanied by his neighbor and faithful walking friend, Ray, he was doing his passion of walking when he died, collapsing suddenly and leaving us quickly.

There will be a viewing, 5 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 13th and 10 to Noon on Monday, September 14th at Mueller's TriCities Funeral Home, 1401 S. Union Street, Kennewick. Graveside services will be at 12:30 p.m. at Desert Lawn Memorial Park, on Union Street & West 10th Avenue. Celebration of Victor's life will be at Columbia Community Church at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14th at 150 Gage Blvd. in Richland.

Donations may be made in Victor's honor to Columbia Community Church or to a charity of your choice.

The family invites you to sign their online guestbook at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.