Richard Harrell Rogers

He is survived by MarJo, his wife of 38 years, their children Granger and Tara Huntress, Todd and Allison Huntress, Mack and Stephanie Huntress and Martita Huntress, as well as their five grandchildren: Kepler and Colby (Granger), Willie (Todd) and Sammi and Lilly (Mack) Huntress. He is also survived by his brother Will and Sharon Rogers and nephew Will Rogers IV.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Will C. and Vonnabeth Rogers. Dick was an internationally renowned artist and sculptor, whose works have shown in many galleries and public places across the United States, Mexico, Europe and Africa. Later in life, he was also an inventor and businessman, receiving at least five patents for wheelchair design.

At age 15, he became a quadriplegic and was the first student mainstreamed at a San Antonio public school. As a senior, he was Class President at Jefferson High School and named Express-News Outstanding Young Man of San Antonio. While a student at Trinity University, he won the state sculpture competition sponsored by the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts. He initially gained notoriety with his modern geometric silk-screen paintings.

In the early 70's, he and artist Robert Indiana were featured in an exhibit at The McNay Museum. In 1967, his first large-scale sculpture, 'Untitled' was installed at the Parkway Presbyterian Church in Corpus Christi. 'Vector One' (now at The McNay Museum) was installed at Hemisfair in 1968. In 1972 and 1973, 'Jacob's Ladder' and 'Transcendent Reflection' were installed at The McNay Museum and that same year he was named Artist of the Year by The San Antonio Art League. The Order of Daedalians commissioned the work, 'Daedalus', in 1976, which was on permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.

In 1978, his first major pieces in San Antonio, 'Centered Disk' and 'Lotus' were installed. A few years later, in 1981, The University Health Science Center commissioned 'Double Helix' (located at the corner of Medical and Floyd Curl). This sculpture was recognized across the country in a new era of large-scale sculpture in public places. 'Colonnade' was commissioned and installed in 1985 at The Colonnade.

For the last 20 years he focused his work towards inventing and developing a better wheelchair. Working closely with his son, Mack, he created the foundation that would eventually become Adorno-Rogers Technology.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

THURSDAY

NOVEMBER 15, 2012

1:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

1101 MCCULLOUGH

In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to your favorite charity or Sunshine Cottage, 603 East Hildebrand Avenue, San Antonio, TX 78212 www.sunshinecottage.org