NORTH MANCHESTER – Ralph Loucks Rogers, 92, North Manchester, and formerly of Norwood, Pa., passed away July 10, 2014, in Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne. He had been a resident of Peabody Retirement Center since 2009. He was born Feb. 2, 1922, in Wilkensburg, Pa., to Donald Spencer and Nancy Irene Loucks Rogers. On Flag Day, June 14, 1947, he married the love of his life, Louise Bierly Rogers, who preceded him in death. He lived in Pittsburgh until he was nine, when he moved with his family to their family homestead and dairy farm in Scottdale, Pa. It was while working in the dairy that his lifelong interest in science was born. A graduate of Scottdale High School, he joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and studied electrical engineering. He served as a telephone repeaterman in Burma during World War II. After the war, he completed his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Juniata College and his doctorate in organic chemistry from University of Pennsylvania. After marriage, he and his wife moved to Norwood, Pa., where they raised three sons and a daughter. He worked as a research chemist at ARCO Chemical Company for 35 years. After retiring from ARCO, he received a degree in computer science from Delaware County Community College, a college that he had helped to found and where he had already begun his second career as a computer science professor. At his graduation, he had the singular distinction of being the only graduate to take the stage simultaneously as a trustee, professor and student of the college. Always civically minded, he was very involved in the Norwood United Methodist Church, served as member and president of the Delaware County School Board, was a founding trustee of Delaware County Community College and was a committed lifelong donor and volunteer for the American Red Cross. In 1996, he and Louise moved to North Manchester, where he became an involved member of the North Manchester United Methodist Church. Known for his great sense of humor and love of wordplay, he favored puns and enjoyed creating cryptograms for the church newsletter. The following cryptogram is included in his honor: 14,22,16; 26,4,24,20; 3,13; 5,9; 13,22,16,18,16,18,24,20; 3; 13,22,17,26,26; 25,4,14; 19,17,25,14. His philosophy in life can be distilled down to two words: “love” and “devotion;” love for and devotion to God, family, community and education. Surviving are his sister, Nancy Baker, Caldwell, N.J.; four children and spouses: Thomas (and Kay) Rogers, Glenolden, Pa.; Richard (and Rachael) Rogers, North Manchester; James (and Nancy Forsythe) Rogers, Richmond; and Susan (and Bret Rosenblum) Rogers, Pittsburg; 10 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Breen; a brother, Donald Rogers; and a grandson, Seth Rogers. He donated his body to the Indiana University Medical School. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the North Manchester United Methodist Church. ***** Memorials to the American Red Cross.
