Robert David Rogers

Bob was born June 10, 1936 in Hartford, Connecticut. Bob spent the majority of his childhood in New England and Palm Beach, FL. His family moved to Dallas in 1950. Bob graduated high school from St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA and also attended St. Mark’s in Dallas. He graduated Yale University with a B.A. in Economics and received an M.B.A. at Harvard University where he was a Baker Scholar with High Distinction. Bob served in the U.S. Navy from 1958-1960 as an Ensign and Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Bob made a significant and positive impact in business, civic, and philanthropic organizations in Dallas, Texas, and beyond. He served as Chief Executive Officer of Texas Industries Inc. from 1970 until his retirement in 2004, and then served as Chairman of the Board. Under his leadership, TXI became the first and largest vertically integrated cement, aggregate, and concrete supplier in the state of Texas, and a major producer of structural steel in the U.S. TXI and its products helped shape the infrastructure and skyline of Dallas including DFW airport, Dallas City Hall, the Dallas and Kimbell art museums, the Meyerson Symphony Center, Parkland Hospital- and many more.

Bob served as Chairman of both the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (1984 to 1986) and the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce (1986-1988). He was a director of Con-way Inc., Adams Golf, Braniff International Airways, the American Business Conference, and the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. Bob was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 2002. His work and love for education was evident in his board participation in several schools including St. Mark’s School of Texas, Greenhill School, Bishop College, Skidmore College, and the SMU Cox School of Business (where he also was an adjunct professor from 2000-2004). He was committed to improving health care and served as a trustee of the Southwestern Medical Foundation and was a member of the UTSW Board of Visitors for University Hospitals and Clinics.

Bob felt an unparalleled passion and love for golf and developed many close friendships because of it. He was a member of the Preston Trail, Brookhollow, Monterrey Peninsula, and Pine Valley golf clubs. He was also a member of the United States Senior Golf Association. He was an accomplished player with a handicap index in the low single digits in his prime. He loved to play challenging golf courses throughout the world. Most of all, Bob enjoyed sharing the game with friends and family. He cherished his weekly outing with his grandson James.

Bob’s intelligence, wit, and humor will be greatly missed. He traveled extensively to unique and far away places on multiple continents, and was extremely generous in sharing these experiences with his family and close friends. He loved baseball and the Texas Rangers, backgammon, friendly competition, and his dog Tanner. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Margaret Jonsson Rogers, his children and spouses- David and Linda Rogers (of Dallas), Mary and James Rhoades (Dallas and Lake Placid, NY), Jamie and Anne Rogers (Dallas), and step-children Laura and David Cole (Dallas), Emily and David Corrigan (Dallas), Erik and Hilary Charlton (Atherton, CA), and 14 grandchildren. Bob leaves behind his brothers John and Alice (Palm Beach, FL), Richard and Ellen (Dallas), and William and Buff (Durango, CO). He is predeceased by Ralph and Mary Nell Rogers (Dallas).

In lieu of flowers, the family asks friends to consider a gift to the Robert D. Rogers Stroke Center at UT Southwestern, in care of Southwestern Medical Foundation, 3963 Maple Ave, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75219-3215.

Following a private family memorial service, the family will receive friends from 1 to 3 PM on Monday June 17 at the DeGolyer House at the Dallas Arboretum.