Robert T. Rogers

Robert T. Rogers, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away Tuesday, July 2, 2019 at age 92. Bob was born and raised in Kansas. Upon his graduation from high school his family moved to California. He wanted to become an electrical engineer and attended Santa Monica Junior College to begin his education. He accomplished his goal from Catholic University of America in 1950.

He was drafted into the Navy in 1942. He went to Radio Operator School in San Diego and then Radio Tech School in Washington, D.C and ended up being transferred to the Navy Department in DC. He was honorably discharged in July 1946. He met Sheila O’Donovan while living in Washington, and they married in 1948. They later moved to California and had five children: Sheila Marie Baughman (Tom), Fr. Vincent “Bobby” Rogers, Mark Rogers (Nancy), Lisa Konoske (Tom), and Philip Rogers (Karen). He had 10 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Bob was predeceased by his son Mark and grandson Jeffrey.

Bob was an engineer and project manager at Douglas Aircraft for 25 years and Fluor Corporation for 10. He then became a partner in H&H Craft and Floral until it was acquired by Michael’s. Bob decided to retire at that point, and he and Sheila made plans to move to the desert. Sheila passed away before the move, but Bob went ahead with the plan. Later, a friend introduced him to Mary, and you know the rest: they got married. He now has an additional family of 4 children -- Mark Howay (Martha), Philip Howay (Kathleen), Debby Coffey (Dave), and Bryan Howay (Sharon) -- 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Bob loved to play golf, travel – especially cruising – and just make conversation with anyone he met. He had a beautiful singing voice, and everyone in his family looked forward to his annual birthday phone call when he would sing Happy Birthday.

A funeral Mass will be held Friday, August 16 at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Church, Palm Desert. An interment of ashes will take place on Saturday, August 17 at 11:00am, at Fairhaven Memorial Park Cemetery, Santa Ana, with a reception following at the Konoske home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert, CA, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.