In Memoriam: Robert G. Rogers '52

Robert G. Rogers '52, CMC's senior associate dean of admission, emeritus, died on Tuesday, October 20, 2009. He was 81.
Born in 1928, he volunteered for the Navy on July 4, 1945, along with two of his best friends, completing a brief tour of duty in the Pacific. An early student at Claremont Men's College, Rogers played basketball, served as ASCMC Secretary, joined Army ROTC, and earned the moniker Rogue.' He graduated from CMC in 1952, subsequently serving as an infantry communications officer in Korea. Returning home, Rogers resumed his graduate studies, earning his MA in education from Claremont Graduate University in 1961. He taught sixth grade at Sycamore Elementary in Claremont before accepting President George C.S. Benson's offer to return to CMC. Rogers joined the staff of the joint CMC/Harvey Mudd College admission office on August 1, 1957, working alongside Dean Emery R. Walker, Jr.
Rogers had a long and successful career building the College, rising to senior associate dean of admission before retiring in 1990. He also assisted in admitting the first three classes at Pitzer College. Rogers founded the Claremont Alumni Schools Program (CLASP), which continues to provide essential alumni assistance and input into the College's admission process. Additionally, he served as chairman of the School and College Relations Committee of the Western Region of the College Board.
In retirement, Rogers was an active volunteer with Meals on Wheels and continued his service to the College as a member of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. In 1976, he received the CMC Alumni Association's Jack L. Stark Distinguished Service Award.
Rogers is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara; son, Robert, Jr.; his daughter, Carolyn; son-in law, Neil Ekblaw; and grandchildren Ariel and Ian. He also leaves a large extended family.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in Roger's name to the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden in Claremont, the Claremont chapter of Meals on Wheels, or the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Athletics Program.
A memorial service for Rogers is scheduled for Monday, October 26 at 2 p.m. at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum, 385 E. Eighth Street, Claremont, Calif.