SYDNEY MIKE ROGERS

1925 - 2022

ROGERS--Sydney Michael "Mike", Jr., corporate real estate consultant, founder of a back therapeutics' products company, and co-owner of famed New York City Rock 'N Roll venue the Fillmore East, died on June 25, 2022, at his home in Key Biscayne, FL, at the age of 96. He is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Olga Robbin Rogers, of Key Biscayne; his children Tom Rogers (Sylvia) of Larchmont, NY; Barbara Rogers (JC Williams) of Chevy Chase, MD; Tracey Rogers (Jane Schwartz) of Newton, MA; Suzanne Speh (John) of Inverness, CA; and his grandchildren Robert Rogers, Jessica Ecker, Jason Rogers, Issac Schwartz Rogers, Jacob Schwartz Rogers, and Cassia Williams-Rogers. He is also survived by three great- grandchildren. Born in New York City on December 16, 1925, Mike attended Scarsdale High School before entering the University of Michigan. His college career was interrupted by World War II in 1944, when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served until the war's end in 1945, after which he resumed his college studies and graduated. In 1950 he enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves thinking "there were not going to be any more wars." He then entered Harvard Law School, which was interrupted when he was ordered to active duty in the Korean War where he initially served as a 2nd Lieutenant. Mike became a platoon commander of a rifle company, and promoted to 1st Lieutenant. In this capacity, on June 10, 1951, he was injured in a successful battle, and awarded the Purple Heart for his outstanding leadership, courage, and professional skill. Following military service, Mike returned to Harvard Law School, graduating in 1954. Mike's career began as an attorney for famed real estate developer Bill Zeckendorf. He served as Senior Vice President and Board Member of Landauer Associates, at the time one of the nation's leading real estate consulting firms. He then served as a managing executive for real estate magnate Harry B. Helmsley, including supervising management operations for the Empire State Building. While maintaining his real estate practice, Mike put his legal skills, knowledge of New York, and real estate expertise to superb use in 1968 in partnering with Bill Graham, the famed rock n' roll promoter, to co-found and co-own the Fillmore East. It became an iconic forum for major rock concerts, where all the major musical acts of the late 60's and early 70's performed, such as the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane and Janis Joplin. Mike's personal interest in improving comfort for his own back prompted him in 1983 to start Medic Air Corp., which made air filled back pillows. He sold the company in 2000, by which time Mike was spending most of his time in Key Biscayne, where in 2001 he met his present wife, Olga. They married in 2010, and lived with scenic views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and enjoying tennis, opera, and a community of friends. Mike's wonderful sense of humor, keen views on political issues, and his devotion to his incredibly caring and loving wife, Olga, will be deeply missed.