Robert Earl Rogers

Robert Earl Rogers died on October 11, 2025. He was born on October 20, 1930 in Williamston, North Carolina, the 4th child of John Haywood and Nettie Cullipher Rogers. He graduated from Williamston High School where all of his brothers and sisters became involved in athletics and where he played baseball, football and basketball. He went to Elon College (now Elon U.) on an athletic scholarship, playing football and baseball. After he received his BA in Physical Education he served in the Army in Germany. Upon return to North Carolina he taught Sciences and coached at Aberdeen High School, and in 1956 he led his 6 man squad to a state Championship. Bob got his M.Ed from UNC, Chapel Hill. He joined Teachers for East Africa (TEA) in 1961 spending 4 years in Tanzania (Tanganika) teaching at boys' schools. There he met his 1st wife, Susan Geiger, who was teaching at a girls' school. They had two sons, David and Travis. He received his Ph.D in Education from Ohio State University and then taught at Queen's College in New York City. In 1979 his journey took him to Minnesota where he taught a short while and then changed careers becoming a fee only Certified Financial Planner. In 1983 he married Mary Parish- a marriage that lasted his final 42 years. Bob enjoyed his work and all the people whose dreams he was able to encourage, only retiring at age 82, but still staying interested in investment planning for the rest of his life. Bob and Mary enjoyed many things in common- travel in North America and Europe, their children and grandchildren, church, community (Prospect Park) and the out-of-doors. Bob died in St. Paul, MN. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary, sons David and Travis, sister Mary Frances Bailey, stepsons Mark and James Gibson, grandsons Will and Drew Rogers, numerous-in-laws and many nieces and nephews. He was curious about life around him, a good friend to many and a loving family man. His was a long life well lived. He will be missed. Services will be held on Saturday, October 25th at 2pm at Prospect Park United Methodist Church (PPUMC), 22 Orlin Ave. S.E., Minneapolis,MN,55414. Memorials may be made to the International Campaign for Tibet, the Natural Resources Defense Council, or the PPUMC Memorial Fund.