Rodger Alan Kolb

Rodger Alan Kolb passed away on Monday, November 11th at CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock. Rodger was born in Little Rock, Arkansas on August 19, 1955, to the late Harding and Pauline (Jo) Kolb.

Rodger graduated from Dollarway High School in Pine Bluff in 1974. After high school, Rodger studied Computer Science in Kansas City. After graduation, he went to work for the young IT company, Systematics, Inc. (SI) in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Alexandria, Louisiana; and then to Little Rock. Rodger was one of the first employees to join SI, having an employee number less than 100. His long, successful career with Systematics transitioned on as SI was acquired by Alltel and then Fidelity Information Services (FIS). He was an integral part of what became a hugely successful, world-wide company of over 55,000 employees. He had a knack for remembering every line of code he had written as well as every person that ever worked in any of the many data centers managed by SI. Rodger managed more than 400 professional service employees throughout the US. His employees knew him as a compassionate manager that always had their back in any situation.

To his friends, Rodger was known for his big, loud laughter, his big wrapping hugs, and his generosity. He never met a stranger. As with the employees of SI, he had the incredible knack for remembering anyone he had ever met. He had a huge, warm heart for all his family, his friends, and his coworkers.

Rodger is preceded in death by his parents, Harding and Pauline (Jo) Kolb; his sons, William Todd Kolb and Phillip Brian Kolb.

Rodger is survived by his wife, Tonya Kolb of Sherwood; Two brothers, Willie (Chris) Kolb of Pine Bluff, and Paul Lynn Kolb of Springdale, Maria Kolb of Maumelle, the mother of Todd and Brian; one grandson, Ben Anderson of Arena, Wisconsin; stepchildren, Amber Forrest and Kassie Luker; one step-granddaughter, Indigo Forrest; three nieces, one nephew, two great-nieces, three great-nephews, and two great-great-nephews; as well as two very special friends who knew him as Papaw, Hunter and William Vanmeter. He is also survived by many close friends who will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held in celebration of Rodger's life at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home, 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 19, 2024. A gathering of family and friends will begin one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.