George Rogers

Longtime Juneau resident, well-known economist, and father of six adopted children, George W. Rogers, Ph.D., died Oct. 3, 2010, at the age of 93, after several years of declining health.

A celebration of his life is set for 1 to 4 p.m. May 1, 2011 at Centennial Hall in Juneau. The public is invited.

Born in San Francisco, Calif., on April 15, 1917, to Mary Jane (May) Smith (Australian) and George Thomas Rogers ("Tom") (Welsh), he was raised there in the Potrero district.

George Rogers received his education in economics at the University of California at Berkeley and Harvard University. It was at Berkeley that he met his wife, Jean, in 1941. George and Jean were married on Nov. 27, 1942.

The couple arrived in Juneau in 1945, when the U.S. Office of Price Administration sent George to Alaska to help roll back unregulated raw fish prices. World War II terminated this impossible task. He went on to serve as an adviser to a number of territorial governors. First among them was Ernest Gruening, followed by Frank Heintzleman, who championed the development of a wood pulp industry in Southeast Alaska.

George Rogers was instrumental in guiding Alaska to statehood, serving in 1955-56 as consultant to the Alaska Constitutional Convention and managing it when the convention secretary, Tom Stewart, was absent.

In 1961, soon after Alaska became a state, Dr. Rogers and two colleagues persuaded the state Legislature to establish an institute at the University of Alaska to undertake research and provide information on Alaska's economy, business, demography and other topics. He was the guiding light and inspiration for the faculty and staff of what is now known as the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER). In recognition of his decades of contribution to the institute and the state, ISER is dedicating the celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2011 to George Rogers.

Dr. Rogers' cutting-edge professional career covered a wide range of Alaska topics, including fisheries, timber, oil, and the Alaska Permanent Fund, to name a few, as well as circumpolar research. He wrote seven books on Alaska policy and economics, several ultimately becoming used as educational textbooks. Many of his observations about Alaska's people, economy and politics stand true to this day.

In Juneau, Dr. Rogers was a member of the Juneau Rotary and the city and borough of Juneau Assembly (before and after statehood). He was also on committees for 25 Alaska programs dealing with natural resource topics, statehood, and mental health issues, among others.

Aside from his vast professional career and the legacies he leaves behind, George enjoyed the performing arts: acting and dramaturgy and choral singing. He enjoyed classical music, opera and Scottish music, especially bagpipes, and trains.

His family was the most important thing in his life, and he worked tirelessly to provide well for them. He was an avid reader from an early age, thanks to an uncle. He was an accomplished pen and ink sketcher. He loved architecture, and that can be seen in his design of the Zach Gordon Youth Center building in Juneau and the Rogers family home.

He will be remembered as a caring, humble, devoted, and heart-felt man who always had kind words for others, who felt training and educating others was more important than taking credit for himself, and who had a quick wit and a twinkle in his eye.

George is survived by his wife of 68 years, Jean C. Rogers; and their children: daughter, Shelley Thissen of Kodiak; son, Geoffrey Rogers (wife Diane) of Port Angeles, Wash.; daughter, Sidney Fadaoff (husband Joseph) of Juneau; daughter, Sabrina Rogers of Juneau; and son, Garth Rogers of Juneau.

He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law and a brother-in-law; numerous nieces and nephews; and several extended family members.

George was preceded in death by his son, Gavin Rogers; brothers, Richard and Lloyd Rogers; and parents, Mary Jane (May) and George Thomas Rogers.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, 419 Sixth St., Juneau, 99801 or any Juneau performing arts organization of your choice.

The family may be contacted at 1790 Evergreen Ave., Juneau, 99801.