away early Sun. morning, July 28, 2013, at his home in South Plymouth.
The son of Hubert B. and Norma Osgood Rogers, Bunky was born in Nowich early in Oct.
of 1929. He was a graduate of the South New Berlin schools, in the class of 1947. He and his
wife of 64 years, the former Martha Jones, were married in the North Norwich United Methodist
Church in 1949. Early in the 1950’s, Bunky joined the United States Marine Corps and served
his country for four years during the Korean Conflict. Returning home with his honorable
discharge, Bunky relocated to New Jersey where he resided with his family for several years,
eventually moving back to Norwich in 1960. His early work years were with the AAA, followed
by a time of employment with the Ted Brining Insurance Agency. In 1972, he began his own
insurance business, Walter O. Rogers Insurance, which he and his wife operated until recently
when the business was sold to his son, Mark. Bunky was well known in insurance circles for his
expertise and was often called upon to help with insurance matters. But aside from insurance, he
was a community-oriented person who was deeply involved in this area. A member of VFW
Post 2782 and Norwich Elks Lodge BPOE 1222, he was also the commissioner for the Plymouth
Fire District, and current president of the Chenango County Historical Society where he spent
many hours as a volunteer. Bunky had been a member of the Jaycees during his younger days,
was associated with Troop 62 Boy Scouts of America, had been a director of Opportunities for
Chenango, and was a long-time member of the Norwich Rotary Club for which he was a past
president and had served as district governor in l995. An avid reader with a large collection of
books of all sorts, he was especially fond of volumes on history. He loved golfing and
gardening, and traveling with Martha, whether across the country in their motor home or going
abroad to Germany, Scotland, and other locations.
Bunky is survived by his wife, Martha, of South Plymouth; by his sons and their spouses:
James and Rhonda Rogers of Leonia, NJ, Mark and Elke Rogers of Burlington, NC, and Craig
and Maryann Rogers of Little Ferry, NJ; by his grandchildren: Chris Rogers of Seattle, Margaux
Rogers of Manhattan, Richard Rogers of Leonia, James Rogers and wife Maria of South
Hackensack, and Craig and Nicholas Rogers, both of Little Ferry. Also surviving are great
grandchildren Brianna and Conner; his sisters: Sandra Understiller and husband Norman of
Mesa, AZ, Jayne Osgood of Alexandria, VA; and his brother, John Osgood and wife Mary Beth
of Nyack. Bunky was predeceased by his sons, Bruce and Lee.
Funeral services for Bunky will be held at 11 a.m. on Wed., July 31, from the R. J. Fahy
Funeral Home. Bunky’s brother, The Rev. Canon John Osgood of the Cathedral of St. John the
Divine, NYC, will officiate. Interment with full military rites will follow in the Mt. Hope
Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the R. J. Fahy Funeral Home on Tues. from 6-8 p.m.
In Bunky’s memory, please consider contributions to the Chenango County Historical
Society, 45 Rexford St., Norwich, NY 13815.
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