H. Wayne Rogers

Scarborough, ME -- H. Wayne Rogers, 89, of Portland, died on December 21, 2014, at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Scarborough, Maine, after living what he called a "blessed & charmed life". He deeply cherished his family and friends.

Wayne was born Homer Wayne Rogers on July 28, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan, the oldest son of Homer E. and Edna (Zech) Rogers.  After graduation from Redford High School he joined the Army Air Corps and earned his pilot’s wings – an experience he would recount fondly throughout his life.  Upon honorable discharge from the service he married his sweetheart, Martha Elizabeth Vargha, and went on to earn a degree in engineering from Michigan State College.  

In 1949 Wayne started a career with Chrysler Corporation that would span over 30 years.  His work in fleet sales led to many transfers to offices across the country – San Francisco, Seattle, Portland (Oregon), Detroit and New York . Over the years he & Marty, with their growing family, moved many times – making lifelong friends wherever they lived.  Early retirement from Chrysler in 1980 was followed by several years with GELCO (now GE Capital Financial Services) before he and Marty retired for good – moving to Hendersonville, NC.  In later years, they moved again to Sun City West, AZ and used their leisure time to enjoy many cross-country & overseas trips – seeing old friends, new sights and keeping in touch with family.  They moved to Portland, Maine in 2006 to be closer to family and spent many happy years together until Martha’s death in 2013.  

Wayne was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 66 years.  He is survived by his two brothers & their wives,  Robert & Nancy Rogers of Marietta, Georgia, and Richard & Ruth Rogers of Naperville, Illinois; his brother-in-law & his wife, Louis & Maite Vargha of La Rode, France; his three daughters & sons-in-law, Susan & Joseph Cook of Westbrook, Carol & Al Gauper of Spokane, Washington, and Janet & David Chodos of Brighton, Michigan; his grandchildren, Meghan & Brian Jones of Beaverton, Oregon, Michael Chodos & fiancée, Emily Kuehn, of Boston, Massachusetts, Lindsey & Dan Cronin of Spokane, Washington, William Chodos & Caitlin Gibbons of Ypsilanti, Michigan, Alex Gauper & fiancée, Nicole Johnson, of Seattle, Washington, and Ben Chodos of Ann Arbor, Michigan, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews and their respective families.  

Wayne’s family would like to thank all of the caregivers & friends who provided support and encouragement over the past several months – particularly friends from the Woods at Canco, Pastor David Alvord, Nancy Houlihan, Dr. Peter Emery, Dr. Paul McGrath, Dr. Hedlund, Jaime Fairfield, Dr. Agren, Dr. Wrona, VNA Home Health & Lifestages and the staff & volunteers at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House.

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 3rd, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn Street, Portland.  Arrangements are under the care of Advantage Cremation and Funeral Services, Portland, Maine.  His ashes will be interred alongside his wife at White Chapel Memorial Park in Troy, Michigan at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 11 Hunnewell Rd, Scarborough, Maine 04074 or the First Lutheran Church, 132 Auburn Street, Portland, ME 04103.