Kenneth Aldred Rogers

On Friday, December 6, 2019, Kenneth Aldred Rogers, loving husband of Eleanor Rogers, father of Philip Rogers (deceased) and Kevin Rogers of Wallingford, CT, grandfather of three, and brother of Karen Harrison of Clinton, NJ, passed away at the age of 82. Kenneth was born on April 15, 1937, in Union, NJ to Aldred and Dorothy Rogers. He received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in 1959 and his graduate degree from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School in 1961. On May 24, 1966, he married Eleanor Hutchinson. Their life together started abroad as Kenneth served in the Foreign Service in Burma, now Myanmar. The Burmese people left a lasting impression, which he honored by supporting many who fled from government persecution in subsequent years. Returning to the states after almost five years abroad, Kenneth accepted an appointment at Washington University. Shortly thereafter, his sons, Kevin and Philip, were born. Then, in 1978, Kenneth accepted the position of Associate Dean of International Services and Programs, a position he would hold until his retirement in 2002. Known as a colleague of surpassing kindness and wisdom, he played an important part in many students' lives over the years. He was repeatedly recognized by national organizations as well as those more local for his service and contributions. At the end of his career he was humbled to be honored with the Homer Higbee Award from the National Association of Foreign Student Affairs, as well as being named a Distinguished Hoosier and a Sagamore of the Wabash. He will be remembered as a man of surpassing quality: humble, gracious, loving, and true. Intelligent and compassionate, he sought to live well by serving others and building understanding through education. A member of the Trinity Episcopal Church, he lived their mission to be open to all. He loved to read, write, and paint. Those lucky enough to receive a letter or landscape felt the unprecedented warmth that only he could transmit by those means. One cannot think of Kenneth without recalling the definition of success that Emerson set out as a challenge to all good men: "To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; [...]To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." A private service will be held for family. Donations in honor of Kenneth may be sent to the Global Engagement Scholarship Fund, care of the IU Foundation.