David W. Rogers

1928 - 2018

David W. Rogers

DAVID WILES ROGERS, son of Edith Wiles Rogers and Vincent Lawrence Rogers, and dearly beloved husband of Elizabeth Rundquist, was born in New York City on January 22, 1928 three weeks after his mother arrived from Jamaica. At first the family lived on 111th Street near Central Park, later moving to Dawson Street in the Bronx. David was followed by five siblings: Harry, Vincent, Betty, John, and Frank.

Attending the local schools, late, as his mom home-schooled the children, Dave was soon identified as gifted. He subsequently attended Stuyvesant High School, graduating near the top of his class. After a period in the US Army during the Korean conflict, he earned an ME in electrical engineering form City College of New York.

Dave's professional life included co-ownership of a laundromat in East New York and his subsequent career in electrical engineering, including his own electronics business, BR Power (named for Buck Rogers!). Dave contributed to the design of the Nautilus submarine and the Cassini Space Explorer. His time at Jet Propulsion Laboratories in California opened the door to life-long friendships with other engineers. At home, Dave's bedtime reading was often in Mathematics Society publications; he often said, "I'm all about amps and volts."

Dave is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, an artist and psychoanalytic art psychotherapist; his son Mark and stepdaughter Danielle by a previous marriage. Dave was a wonderful step-dad to Laura Porter Cohen and Irwin Cohen, stepson Arthur "Scott" Porter, Karl Porter, Edward Porter, as well as eight grandchildren. He was especially close to Gideon, Seth, and Ethan Porter, sons of Scott. Daughters-in-law Marcy, Kristin, and Jennifer Porter—all will remember Dave with love. Dave's quiet, strong spirit, his wry humor, and his sheer humanity will be cherished by all of us.

Dave was a devoted member of St Mark's Episcopal Church. Services will be held at St Mark's, 118 Chadwick Road, Teaneck at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 4. All to meet at church. Friends and family are invited to visit today from 5:00-8:00 pm at Volk Leber Funeral Home, 789 Teaneck Road, Teaneck. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Villa Marie Claire Hospice, Saddle River NJ or the David Rogers Memorial Day Laborers Fund at St Mark's Church. For further information and to view Dave's tribute page, please visit volkleber.com