Thomas R. Rogers

Thomas Riley Rogers, age 81, of Ripon, WI, passed away at home surrounded by the family that loved him on August 22, 2025.

Tom was born on October 9, 1943, in Houghton, MI, to Ruth Ann Rogers (nee Lorasch) and Frederick Rogers. He grew up in Port Edwards, WI, and spent summers in the upper peninsula of Michigan with his beloved Grandma Maddie.

Tom started his career as an industrial electrician at Nekoosa Paper Company. Enjoying one of his many hobbies, barbershop singing, Tom spent time in Ripon to sing and soon realized that Ripon would be a great place to relocate and start his entrepreneurial journey. In 1975, Tom founded Rogers Electric, Inc., an industrial-focused electrical contracting company. After which, Tom founded Accurate Controls in 1982, a security system integration firm for the corrections market and in 2006, Advanced Paper Enterprises, a paper converting company, in Ripon.

Along the way, there were many other business ventures that brought opportunities and jobs to his beloved Ripon, but what he was most proud of was playing a role in the revival of downtown Ripon.

Tom purchased many distressed downtown properties and removed them from a state of disrepair, playing a key role in the downtown revival efforts, most notably, The Mapes Hotel and Patina Vie. He actively worked to rebuild and renovate buildings to their historical character and recruit entrepreneurs to start local businesses. He participated in numerous community endeavors aimed at growing the City of Ripon. His revitalization efforts have not only brought new businesses and visitors to downtown Ripon but have also helped create a renewed sense of optimism and excitement about the city's future. His role was multifaceted, encompassing strategic property acquisitions, targeted renovations, and the cultivation of local entrepreneurship.

Tom firmly believed in not simply renovating buildings to sell for profit, but to actively work with and empower local entrepreneurs. He would facilitate their ability to establish businesses within the revitalized spaces by offering favorable terms, providing guidance, and creating a supportive environment for their success. He acted as a catalyst for local entrepreneurship, a steward of architectural history, and a strong advocate for the power of private initiative to transform and revitalize the community.

Tom enjoyed a rich family life, marrying his great love, Deborah Jean Schwarze, on December 14, 1991. The two were inseparable with Deb bringing fun to his work focused life and steadfastly supportive of project after project. Tom never walked a property he didn’t want to buy.

A beloved grandfather, he played a crucial role in nurturing the self-confidence and spirit of his four grandchildren. He had a knack for truly listening and giving them his undivided attention, no matter what the activity, he simply loved to spend time with each of them.

Tom reveled in his many friendships and the camaraderie of his beloved Club Med North guys. He enjoyed cooking for his friends and his family, his turdunkin the center of every holiday meal. His love of the outdoors was constant throughout his life, spending time in the barn with his horses, weekending at his river property and hosting hunting season.

He leaves his legacy to his daughters, Rebecca Rogers Tijerino (Ricardo) and Lisa Rogers Schepp (Bart); his grandchildren, Emilio Thomas and Isabel Tijerino, Riley Thomas, and Kennedy Schepp; his sister, Barbara Mancl; his family in-laws, Lenny (Donna) Mulhollon, Karen Ann (Wayne) Stobb, Karen (Wayne) Fenner, Cheri (Pete) Brodzeller, Cindy (Bruce) Henning, Barb (Mel) Nefstead, Tammy Briske and Roberta (Tim) Gutzmer; and many nieces and nephews. His Club Med buddies live on to make more memories; Jerry Chapin, Art Egbert, Robert Mathia, Jerry Marchant, Ted Robl, and David Thiel.

He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Vera and Robert Schwarze; his brothers, Robert and Lee Rogers; sister-in-law, Ruth Ann Rogers; and brothers-in-law, Richard Mancl, Sherman Lackey, Gary Baasch and Gary Koehler; and his Club Med buddies, John Huseboe and Jerry Long.

*Ripon’s vibrant community of businesses, entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, tradespeople, artisans, residents, locals, visitors and passers through will celebrate Tom and his love for our community each day. We thank you Tom. You had the ability to naturally light up a room with your charm, twinkling eyes and warm heart. To friends and strangers alike, you were always at the ready to hold open a door, excited to ask someone how their day was going, and at the same time delighted to declare you’d never had a bad day in your life. We are all better for having had the chance to know you. We celebrate you today and forevermore.

..in your own words, “you be good”…

Visitation for Tom will take place on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Butzin-Marchant Funeral Home, 515 Mayparty Dr., Ripon, WI 54971, and again on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 from 9:00 am until 11:00 am at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 228 Blossom St., Ripon, WI 54971.

Mass of Christian Burial for Tom will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Ripon, with Fr. Chuck Wrobel officiating. Interment will follow at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery, Town of Ripon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tom’s name may be directed to Ripon Main Street, 401 Watson St, Ripon, WI 54971.