Manley Eaton Rogers

Obituary of Manley Eaton Rogers

It is with sorrow, as well as deep gratitude for the life he lived and the years he shared with us all, that the family of Manley Eaton Rogers announces his peaceful passing from this life on August 9, 2025, in Portland, Maine; in the company of family at the age of 98.

Manley was born June 5, 1927, in Waterville, Maine to A. Raymond and Harriet (Eaton) Rogers. Manley attended public schools in Waterville. He took a year at the Belmont Hill School to complete his high school education. He attended the United States Military Academy Prep School, then at Amherst College. He attended the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, NY, graduating in 1950. He obtained a Masters in Civil Engineering from Cal Tech in 1955.

Manley enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1945 near the end of WWII. After graduating from USMA, he entered the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. He served in the U.S. Army in various positions and locations to include: post war Germany, military advisor in Iran, teaching faculty at USMA, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District during which he earned the Army Commendation Medal for his work in the recovery from the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964. Manley trained, and then led, the 168th Engineer Combat Battalion in Vietnam for which he was awarded the Legion of Merit for "exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding Officer of said unit in the Republic of Vietnam, from 1965 to 1966". On return from Vietnam, he served as Associate Dean at USMA. He was appointed the Director of Admissions at USMA in 1968. During the final 17 years of his career, Manley led the Admissions efforts of USMA. Under his leadership, the Academy expanded its efforts to fully integrate by instituting a Minority Outreach Recruitment Program. Prior to him assuming the position of Director of Admissions in 1968, only 68 Black cadets had graduated from USMA in the Academy's 166-year history. The Academy enrolled 47 Black cadets in his first year as the Director of Admissions! In subsequent years, he oversaw the further expansion of minorities entering USMA. Manley also presided over the successful admission of women to USMA in 1976, making it a coeducational institution nearly 175 years after its founding. He retired i n 1985 with the rank of Colonel. Manley was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for "exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Director of Admissions, U.S. Military Academy, West Point, from 1968 to 1985".

Manley married his childhood sweetheart, Martha Chase Weeks, in 1950. They were born 5 days apart in the same hospital in Waterville. Maine. They shared a passion for their family, friends, renovating homes on the coast of Maine, the outdoors; skiing and fishing in particular. In the mid 1950's, they purchased a small seasonal cottage on the shores of Snow Pond in Belgrade, Maine. This became the place to which the family would return summers for decades serving as a focal point for cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and family friends to gather and frolic over the years.

In their retirement, Manley and Martha returned to Maine, living in Belfast. Manley turned his attention to community service actively engaging with First Church, The Belfast Library, The Belfast Rotary Club, The Belfast Rail Trail and many other organizations. He loved to give his time and energy to building strong communities. In the 1980s Manley helped establish the Belfast Rotary Scholarship Fund for high school seniors. Over the years this fund has awarded nearly $1.3 million to 335 students. In recent years The Rotary Club established The Manley Rogers Leadership Scholarship which honors individuals recognizing outstanding leadership at home, school and in the community. In his 80's, Manley developed a curriculum on healthy aging for the local community college. He skied and ocean kayaked until age 90.

Manley is survived by his children: Alan Scott Rogers of Santa Fe, NM, Stuart Nathan Rogers, of Vienna, ME, Katherine Anne (Louis) Burgess of Okemos, MI and Victoria Weeks Rogers (Guy Senechal) of Saco, ME. Grandchildren: Graham (Heather) Burgess, Carrie Burgess, Max Senechal, Katie Senechal and Emma Rogers. Great grandchildren: James, Adelaide and Eleanor Burgess. Many nieces and nephews who adored their Uncle Manley as well as countless family friends. Manley was a lifelong personal and professional mentor to many who remember him fondly.

Manley was predeceased by his spouse, Martha Weeks Rogers, his parents, his sisters Estelle (Roy) MacDonald and Martha (George) Beach and brother A. Raymond (Jay) Rogers.

The family would like to thank The Cedars In Portland, Maine where Manley lived the last two years of his life and where he received excellent, compassionate care.

A Memorial Service is planned for October 18, 2025, at 11 AM at First Church in Belfast, Maine. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Manley Rogers Leadership Scholarship, Belfast Rotary Club, PO Box 74, Belfast, ME 04915.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com