Walter Rogg

1934 - 2025

Walter Rogg
Dec. 27, 1934 - May 17, 2025
Walter Rogg, of New Milford, devoted husband of Margarethe "Gretl" Rogg, died at Danbury Hospital on Saturday, May 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was born in Hergensweiler, Germany, on December 27, 1934, son of the late Alois and Marta (Geis) Rogg.
Walter was the youngest of four boys and was born and raised on a small dairy farm in Southern Germany. Starting at a young age, Walter was a tinkerer and developed the ability to use very limited available resources to build or repair almost anything. Walter's first job was repairing tractors at a local factory, which allowed him to save enough money and purchase the first car in his village, starting his lifelong obsession with fine German automobiles. Walter put himself through college after being accepted to Konstanz University and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. In 1962 he emigrated to the US with his future wife on the Queen Elizabeth with all his possessions in a 4' x 4' plywood box, which to this day is still in his basement. They settled in the New Milford / Brookfield area, where Walter began working as a handyman while learning the English language. He later held various engineering positions at local factories before joining his brother at the newly founded Rogg Manufacturing Corp. He retired from Rogg Manufacturing after 30 years in business, and after one week of being "unproductive," he accepted the interim position of Sales and Product Development Manager at Paper Machine Components in Danbury, CT where his two-year plan stretched into a rewarding ten-year stint. Walter was an avid snow skier, and his favorite vacations involved skiing in the Alps with his family and his college friends. Walter was passionate about contributing to the local community and served many years on the New Milford Board of Finance, lobbying for fiscal discipline, and ultimately served one term as New Milford's Mayor. Post-retirement, Walter was an active hobby machinist, mechanical tinkerer, car collector, and aspiring glider pilot with the Nutmeg Soaring Club.
In addition to his wife of 62 years, Gretl, he will be missed by his children, Christian (Marianela), Marcus (Kimberly), Emilie (Helmut Krull), and Luise (John Gullickson), and his ten grandchildren.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, June 28th, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Church in Brookfield. Interment in Laurel Hill Cemetery will be held privately.
Memorial Contributions in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. www.stjude.org