Pat and Doug Nelson (Martha's Yarbrough cousin Pat) -
Dear Martha, Please know that we will be with you today for Wayne's memorial service even though we are in Alabama.   We are still in disbelief that we have lost Wayne so quickly.  This has dominated our thoughts since your telephone call to us on May 25.  Wayne's life was filled with many wonderful events and achievements.  It would be wonderful if we had a country that is composed of persons just like him.  We will be in the memorial service with you at two o'clock p.m.  We wish we could have been there in person, but two events in May prevent travel.  We will stay in communication with you in the days ahead.  We are concerned about you and we love you.
 
Barbara Landers (NWHUMC friend) -
Dear Martha, John and I are so terribly sad to hear of Wayne's passing.  You are both so special to us.  We are so very sorry not to be with you and all your family for the services, but our granddaughter's first dance recital is Saturday afternoon.  It was Wayne's “Amy and Andrew Days” that helped me reconcile the conflict, but I am still very sad and long to be there.   Even though we have not had time together in recent years, you and Wayne have always been two of our favorite people and I treasure the good memories of our good times together.  I deeply regret that I have not been with you during this difficult time and also that I didn't have another visit with Wayne.  Visits with him were always so very special.  Truly one can say of you and Wayne, “a life well lived”.  Please give our love to Brian, Cynthia, Paul, Amy and Andrew.  Also to Nancy; I remember meeting her and immediately feeling a special connection many years ago.  Know that you are in our prayers and let the love of God and of your many friends caress you and give you strength and comfort.  Your sister in Christ, Barbara

Alvin Tong (long-time church/IBM friends) - 
Remembering Wayne....
Wayne and I met “again” for the 2nd time in our lives in 1991 not long after my wife and I moved to Austin from Taiwan. It was in front of the NW Hills UMC after service on a hot Sunday.  Lemonade was served outside in the shade. We went for it and looked straight into Martha's welcoming smile. She said Hi! Then Wayne joined us. After a brief introduction, Wayne said: “Alvin, I know you! You worked for IBM before in the US, then you went to work for NDC (Company name) in Taiwan. I met you at NDC in Taipei in 1985!” The lemonade cup almost dropped out of my hand with my mouth wide open in awe! Wayne met me more than 6 years ago in a business meeting in Taiwan, and he remembered me?
The following Sunday, Wayne pulled out his IBM Think pad and showed me the page where his notes indicated my name, the time, place and subject matter that we discussed…
As I got to know Wayne better over the next 22 years, I found him to be one of the most studious, detail-oriented planners and organizers that I knew. 
***********************************************************
Some time in early April this year, my wife Anna and I talked about having Wayne join via SKYPE in a discussion on World Religions with a small group of Christian friends that meets every other week, in Portland, OR. The subject was Taoism - I knew Wayne was knowledgeable and interested in it. I told him that June 9th will be our last meeting and a good time for him to join us, for the concluding summary and remarks.
Wayne didn't want to wait till June 9th, so he and Martha quickly set up their SKYPE and joined us at our next meeting on April 10th. Wayne and Martha made great contributions to the discussion, as usual, for almost 2 hours from 9 to 11 pm, way pass their usual bed time. Wayne was very animated then…
Today, on June the 8th, as this is read to you, I continue to wonder: “How did Wayne know that he wasn't going to join us tomorrow on June 9th via SKYPE, and so decided to do it on April 10th?” …
One thing I know for sure is Wayne will be with us in “SPIRIT” tomorrow at our small group's meeting, and many other meetings to follow!
*************************************************************
How will I remember Wayne?
I will remember Wayne as my Encyclopedia (the person I went for answers); my ex-IBM colleague (to share the good old days); my unfailing tennis partner (for continuing improvements); our family's faithful dear friends (together with Martha); and my mentor in Christianity (to be an open-minded Christian). 
Rest in peace, Wayne!

David Cummings (cousin) –
 It is interesting how one person can influence the life of another, perhaps without realizing the effect of the example that he is setting.
I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico because I heard Wayne talk about it. It happened again when Wayne was accepted into the Rice Institute (now Rice University).  At that time, if you were accepted into Rice, you didn't have to pay any college tuition, i.e., Rice was “tuition free.”  It was hard to get into Rice, and hard to stay in.  When the time came for me to decide on a college a few years later, I also applied to Rice, on the theory that “if Wayne could do it … .”  I was fortunate to be accepted and also lucky that Wayne would be at Rice during my first year or two there.



Les & Joni Grady (Rice friends) -
Les says:  We have mentioned before how indebted we are to Wayne and Martha both for introducing us.  What you may not realize, however, is that that introduction totally changed my life.  Meeting Joni caused me to want to stay in Houston the summer after our 4th year, which led me to take the summer job in Art Busch's lab as a research assistant.  That is how I found the other big love of my life, environmental engineering.  My life would not have been nearly so rich if I had gone back to Arkansas and become a typical civil engineer working for the highway department.  So, for better or for worse, Wayne and Martha are largely responsible for the path I followed, which has been one I have loved and enjoyed.  
Each time we have been together over the years I have been amazed at how easily we slip back into conversations and sharing of common memories and beliefs.  I guess that is what led Wayne and me to room together at Rice and what has caused the four of us to champion common causes over the years, although at the time we didn't know that we were doing it.

David Cummings (cousin) –
 It is interesting how one person can influence the life of another, perhaps without realizing the effect of the example that he is setting.
I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico because I heard Wayne talk about it. It happened again when Wayne was accepted into the Rice Institute (now Rice University).  At that time, if you were accepted into Rice, you didn't have to pay any college tuition, i.e., Rice was “tuition free.”  It was hard to get into Rice, and hard to stay in.  When the time came for me to decide on a college a few years later, I also applied to Rice, on the theory that “if Wayne could do it … .”  I was fortunate to be accepted and also lucky that Wayne would be at Rice during my first year or two there.

Les & Joni Grady (Rice friends) -
Les says:  We have mentioned before how indebted we are to Wayne and Martha both for introducing us.  What you may not realize, however, is that that introduction totally changed my life.  Meeting Joni caused me to want to stay in Houston the summer after our 4th year, which led me to take the summer job in Art Busch's lab as a research assistant.  That is how I found the other big love of my life, environmental engineering.  My life would not have been nearly so rich if I had gone back to Arkansas and become a typical civil engineer working for the highway department.  So, for better or for worse, Wayne and Martha are largely responsible for the path I followed, which has been one I have loved and enjoyed.  
Each time we have been together over the years I have been amazed at how easily we slip back into conversations and sharing of common memories and beliefs.  I guess that is what led Wayne and me to room together at Rice and what has caused the four of us to champion common causes over the years, although at the time we didn't know that we were doing it.

Heart-felt thoughts from Jim Wynn  (church/IBM)-
Dear Martha, You and Wayne have provided a real oasis for me for many years – as you have welcomed me many times with such warm hospitality and loving support.  I wish I could adequately express my appreciation to you for sharing your calm and caring nature each time I visited.    
     I am saddened to learn that because of cancer Wayne has ended his life's journey, but comforted to read that you were able to support each other until that day.  Daily experiences will be different for the Rogers family now, but I am confident that the love and spirit of Wayne will be an inspiration to you and generations of family members and to his and your many, many friends.    Wayne was a true friend to all and shared his love of life everyday in so many ways.  I am indeed fortunate to have received a little of his wisdom and enjoyed his friendship.
     A time for remembering  -- the quiet conversations around the breakfast table watching the squirrels and birds, the BBQ meals, but mostly the comfortable times together whether watching the bats fly, or attending a meditation session.  Wayne (along with you) made those times very special.  Thank you.
     And, there is the introduction y'all gave me to Saint Andrews and Jim Rigby.  I still find myself listening in Atlanta to his sermons on my I-pad and thinking how fortune that you both found this place to continue your connection with an authentic spirituality and caring community.
     Martha, may you find comfort in the memories you shared with Wayne and the wonderful life that you created for your family.   I wish you, Brian, and Cynthia every blessing and the knowledge that you are loved and in the thoughts of us all.  
With deepest regards,
Jim
 
(Once again, I find myself in Dharamsala, India with Tibetan monks and nuns and another opportunity to enjoy an audience with the Dalai Lama and hear his words of wisdom regarding compassion and inner peace.)

Ben and Bobbye Watson -
Wayne Rogers: Special Memories

     In 1994, Wayne and his birding cousins went to the end of the Aleutian Island chain to see some pelagic birds. The conditions were rustic at best, and Martha chose to visit us in Santa Cruz and then we joined Wayne in Anchorage for a week in Denali Park. We rented a car and picked him up at the airport. He was so excited about what he had seen!
     Before we could proceed to the park, or get lunch, Wayne wanted Martha to add to her list of “lifers.” So we did “drive-by” birding using a list of places that Wayne had scouted on his way to the end of the world. He was in seventh heaven; not sure that Martha felt the same. But we all enjoyed Wayne's enthusiasm … and the scenery around Anchorage.
     Wayne really enjoyed sailing, too. He and Martha had built a Sailfish early in their marriage and that experience held fond memories. For his 50th birthday, Martha blindfolded him and took him, along with several friends, for a sailing excursion on Lake Travis. Wayne was captain and pilot of the ship.
     When the Rogers visited us in Santa Cruz, we just had to go sailing on Monterey Bay. The Chardonnay II is a Santa Cruz 70 (as in 70 feet) class boat that takes excursions out of the boat harbor into the bay. After we got underway, the captain asked if anyone would like to take the wheel. Wayne jumped at the chance. We have fond memories of Wayne standing at the wheel, feet spread wide, looking intently forward into a dense fog. The only visibility was up … blue sky. Everything else was gray fog.
     Wayne loved adventure and was as intense about enjoying life as he was about his profession. We spent many joy-filled hours with Wayne and Martha square dancing, traveling, browsing through antique stores looking for glass insulators, old typewriters and OLD books. Emmaus events, worship and raising children contributed to a strong spiritual bond that has lasted many years.

Learning Ally staff -
We had the honor and privilege of knowing Wayne through his volunteer service with Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic), where he spent many an afternoon.  Engineering and Math textbooks were Wayne's specialty and he was often the only reader on some of our most complicated technical books. He took diligent notes in order to provide a quality product for our members and worked tirelessly for 3-4 hours at a time, coming in to volunteer in the afternoons three to four days each week. Over the years Wayne had volunteered for a total of 1,879 hours.

Wayne's reliability, enthusiasm, and consistent dedication to his volunteer service did not go unnoticed. We will miss him.

Carol Hartwell (cousin) -
We re-landscaped the front yard, replacing the grass with less water needy plants, in part because we knew Wayne and Martha had gone that way.  I am struck by the time Wayne gave to tutoring and the social agenda of their church and the fact that they thoughtfully made a change of churches for good reasons.  And they still made time for pretty adventuresome travel...to the south pole, or at least as close as they could get, for the involved birding trips.  Once on St Paul's Island, I was driving and got stuck in the muck.  Wayne engineered our way out. Both a handy guy, physically and mentally.

Donna Rutherford (Congregational nurse)- 
He was a retired IBMer, that notepad along with a with a #2 lead pencil is a dead give a way. When I see the notepad I know that he is probably feeling well enough to want to engage in whatever is going on and does not want to miss anything. Old IBMers are easy to spot.

A St. Andrew's friend -
Wayne always from the get-go of first learning my name when i was newbie at St. Andrews, remembered and called me by name and made me feel like an equal.

Debbie Keith     (NWHUMC friend)                                                                                                                                                       
Martha, 
Blain and I are saddened to learn of Wayne's death.  Wayne was a friendly man with a wonderful laugh. I am thankful that he was able to live out his last days in the comfort of his home.  While I realize as a Christian that Wayne is now in a better place where there is no pain, his death is a huge loss to so many….Thank you for living out your wedding vows and caring for him in his illness.  Wayne's spirit will live on in his children.  I am remembering how he would watch Wheel of Fortune with his mother as she neared the end of her life.  I hope that it brings you some small measure of comfort to know that your family and you are being encircled with love and prayers during the hours, days, and weeks ahead.

IBM Colleagues
- Wayne was my first manager at IBM when I was an intern / summer student in 1965. His serious nature belied his great smile and penchant for laughter. In the early 80s, Wayne and I frequently found ourselves running together in a 5K or 10K event. He was serious about his running!
- Wayne was my direct manager at IBM on three different projects, and he was well-respected among his colleagues.

Les & Joni Grady (Rice friends)
Les says:  We have mentioned before how indebted we are to Wayne and Martha both for introducing us.  What you may not realize, however, is that that introduction totally changed my life.  Meeting Joni caused me to want to stay in Houston the summer after our 4th year, which led me to take the summer job in Art Busch's lab as a research assistant.  That is how I found the other big love of my life, environmental engineering.  My life would not have been nearly so rich if I had gone back to Arkansas and become a typical civil engineer working for the highway department.  So, for better or for worse, Wayne and Martha are largely responsible for the path I followed, which has been one I have loved and enjoyed.  
Each time we have been together over the years I have been amazed at how easily we slip back into conversations and sharing of common memories and beliefs.  I guess that is what led Wayne and me to room together at Rice and what has caused the four of us to champion common causes over the years, although at the time we didn't know that we were doing it.

David Cummings (cousin)  
It is interesting how one person can influence the life of another, perhaps without realizing the effect of the example that he is setting.
I went to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico because I heard Wayne talk about it. It happened again when Wayne was accepted into the Rice Institute (now Rice University).  At that time, if you were accepted into Rice, you didn't have to pay any college tuition, i.e., Rice was “tuition free.”  It was hard to get into Rice, and hard to stay in.  When the time came for me to decide on a college a few years later, I also applied to Rice, on the theory that “if Wayne could do it … .”  I was fortunate to be accepted and also lucky that Wayne would be at Rice during my first year or two there.

Ethelyn Bond (cousin)
Probably my earliest memory of Wayne was a Christmas in Byers. He slept in the living room, where the Christmas tree was, and he teased us by saying that he was going to tell Santa not to leave us any gifts!

Clay Wellborn (childhood – Rice)
My family moved in across the street from the Rogers family when Wayne and I were less than three years old.  The street wasn't paved until a few years later, and it had deep drainage ditches beside the roadway.  As little kids, Wayne and I used wade in the ditches and to catch tadpoles after heavy rains.  

It's surprising and sometimes strange what we remember from childhood--the brand of milk the Rogers family used, their front gate shaped like a wagon wheel, the jars of canned chickens in their garage, and how Mr. Rogers always said "Much obliged" instead of "Thank you."  Little did I suspect that I would later be married to someone whose expression for thank you in her native Portuguese would be "muito obrigado"--"much obliged."

Nancy Rogers Burton (sister)
My Brother
Wayne was three years older than I.  I always looked up to him, and he was a great role model.  We grew up in Corpus Christi, and I remember the fun times we had as children playing with the neighborhood children.  Some nights at dusk we would catch fireflies, and he would wonder then what caused their glow.  Even as a child he had a very inquisitive mind. 
Wayne introduced me to my husband and for this I will always be grateful to him. When he was a senior in high school, taking debate, he and his debate partner would spend hours at our home going over their debate arguments.   His debate partner later became my husband. 
My husband-to-be went to A&M, and Wayne went to Rice .  It was fun to go to the Rice-A&M football games and functions with Wayne and Martha .  Wayne was always fun to be with, and he always made sure that we all had a good time.
Through the years, we would get together frequently with our parents, Martha's parents, my husband's parents and our children to celebrate the holidays.  After our father died, Wayne and Martha were very attentive to my mother.  Wayne took care of her business, and they would check on her often.  He had a very caring spirit.
When my husband died, Wayne helped me with my business.  He gave me needed advice and spent many hours talking to companies to make sure that I received all of the benefits coming to me.   I always knew I could call him to answer my questions and to take care of me.  He was a great brother and really took care of his little sister.

Cynthia Rogers Roush (daughter)
…… Aunt Nancy said that Nana plans to make a book of all these recollections.  Maybe we should add our own.  To remind myself for later, I thought of the following on the way home:  Indian Princess, falling on cactus, that I really appreciate all the outdoor family time (camping, etc.), pop up trailer, snake under tent. Dad and I taking canoeing class, yells from behind us on the river as a sheet of rain came down the river, sunscreen in his eyes and I drove us home on my learner's permit, teaching me to drive a standard shift, taking me to catch the early morning bus at Murchison for a band trip -- it was still dark, I had overslept and we had to chase down the bus a few blocks from the school, clarinet and flute duets at church talent show, family vacations (timing the geysers so we could catch them), baby photographer of Amy and Andrew, digging in dirt with Andrew, running trucks down the hall, playing ping pong, playing board games, taking us skiing as kids and getting us into those ski boots, building a fort with Brian and friends in Connecticut from the deck wood, Dad and Grandpa helping me build Mount Vernon of which I was very proud, helping me learn to ride a bike (hours of holding the back of my bike), croquet, taking things apart to fix and see how they work -- cuckoo clock, conversation around the dinner table, making good use of encyclopedia, "bus" rides to bed.

Brian Wayne Rogers (son)
My Dad - 
(1) A desire to serve:  This can be seen in Reading for the Blind (Learning Ally), but even more so in his day to day interactions.  He always was looking for how he could help, how he could ease somebody else's burden.  It was an innate, irresistible impulse that he had.  

This could be seen in the way he taught at ACC.  He would dedicate many more hours to his students than his position required, because he was impelled to help them.  His parents were teachers, and I have often thought that he was a natural teacher who had found his calling.

(2) Intellectual curiosity:  He was always wondering how things worked and how things came to be the way they are.  It was this curiosity that drew him to your church, as you ask the same questions and seek the same answers that he did.  

Many times the conversation at family dinner led to unanswered questions about biology, geology, geography, etc.  Dad would remind us that rather than sit there wondering, the answer might lie in the encyclopedia set that sat on the shelf, which we would then break out while food was still on the plates.

Martha Myrick Rogers (wife)
Wayne was my best friend and husband for more than 50 years.  Creating our 50 Years and More slide show brought us great satisfaction in the life that we had had together – I fell in love again.  I am sad but not devastated, as we were prepared for life's end.  The memorial service was a mountaintop experience for me, with around 200 present.  Wayne would have been so surprised and pleased that so many came.  He did not realize that he had so many friends.  I'm so glad that he heard the messages of love and memories sent through email, letter, and Caring Bridge.  I read them to him each evening during his last days.

Dear Martha, Brian, Cynthia, and Nancy: Suzette, Travis, and I were very saddened to hear of Wayne's passing. He was a great person and an inspiration to me personally. I recall when I was deciding where to go to college and it came down to a tennis scholarship to the University of Oklahoma or going to Rice, my Mother laid the law down, because first Wayne and then David had gone there. Wayne started the Rice "movement", which really led me to where I am now. My life would be so much different had I not gone there! We loved Wayne and will miss him so much. We are sorry we can't be at the memorial service, but our thoughts will be with you. 
Love, Alan, Suzette, and Travis  --  6/7/13

Martha, Nancy, and Families,

As a person who recalls the days of South Bluff Methodist, I extend my sympathies to you all.

I was fortunate to be able to visit with Wayne and Martha at the Rice Centennial in October. He was my good friend from South Bluff Methodist Church, Ray High School and my room mate at Rice for three years. It was a privilege to know him and we will miss him very much. I regret that I won't be able to attend his service, but I'll always remember him fondly.

Martha, Cynthia, Brian and family,

Ronnie and I will be continuing to think of you and keep you in our prayers over the coming months. While we will be unable to attend the memorial service, please know that we will be with you in spirit.

Much love, Ronnie and Cathy Powell

Our sympathies go out to Martha and family. We had the honor and privilege of knowing Wayne through his volunteer service with Learning Ally (formerly Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic), where he spent many an afternoon.

Engineering and Math textbooks were Wayne's specialty and he was often the only reader on some of our most complicated technical books.  He took diligent notes in order to provide a quality product for our members and worked tirelessly for 3-4 hours at a time, coming in to volunteer in the afternoons three to four days each week. Over the years Wayne had volunteered for a total of 1,879 hours.

Wayne's reliability, enthusiasm, and consistent dedication to his volunteer service did not go unnoticed. We will miss him.

From the staff at Learning Ally's Austin Studio:  Carter York, Gigi Franklin, Charlie Petri, & Toni Ericson

For over a decade, I was privileged to play clarinet with Wayne in ASB.  He always had a welcoming smile and we would say hello to each other.  No matter where I was in the section, I would have to acknowledge Wayne.  We didn't speak a lot, just the language of playing music.  After he couldn't play anymore and had to leave, he and his wife came to a concert--the last time I saw him.  Still had the smile :0).  Mrs. Martha and family, thank you for sharing him with us.  You will be in my prayers.

Martha and family:  My prayers are with you in this time of grief and loss.  Please know that whatever words of condolence I could offer would be insufficient to the loss you have sustained.  
Carolyn Osborne

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

Martha and family...  I will be thinking of you all over these next days and weeks. I had learned to respect and appreciate you both over the time I came to know you through our pulmonary rehabilitation activities.  I will look forward to his smiling face when we are face to face again in heaven with all of the music and birds.   Warmly, Rebecca Sutter

Heartfelt sympathies to you, Martha, and all Wayne's loving family.  Wayne and this ole boy are classmates at Rice, though, sadly, this struggling loner did not become well acquainted with Wayne, as was the sad case with all too many Rice folks.  Nonetheless, please know this ole Yankee joins you and shall hoist to Wayne's memory this eve at the local Vets club where others will kindly join in.  Best to all of you good folks, take good care.  John (Jack) W. Larner, Ph.D.

Martha, I am so sorry to hear about Wayne, & wish I could be there. I will be thinking of you all and will keep your family in my prayers. Love to all.

Ruth Cummings

Martha, Brian, and Cynthia,

We are so sorry that we will be unable to attend Wayne's memorial service.  He was a fine man who taught us all how to liven life before and after retirement.  Sam and I both admire him for his abilities to live life well and be a life long learner.  Always looking to learn new things.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Wayne F. Rogers

21 mars 1938 – 2 juin 2013

Cook-Walden Funeral Home

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