Colonel Robert C. Rogers
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Colonel Robert Conant Rogers, known as “Buck” Rogers, 92, passed away March 2, 2010 at his home in Hillsboro, Ohio. Colonel Rogers was born Dec. 7, 1917 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Arthur Earl Rogers and Grace Conant Rogers. He attended the New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Southern California, graduating in 1939 with a degree in Business Administration. On Dec. 20, 1941, he and Virginia Austin were married in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp on Dec. 13, 1941 at Luke Field, Arizona. After combat training, he was assigned to the European Theatre of Operations as a fighter pilot and squadron commander in the 367th Fighter Group. He flew 92 combat missions including the Normandy Invasion. He was a highly decorated fighter pilot. His many medals and awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Presidential Unit Citation. He returned to the United States in 1945 attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel as Deputy Group Commander of the 367th Fighter Group. His several Air Force assignments included; Air Force Attaché to Brazil and Base Commander of Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He retired as a Full Colonel in June, 1964 from Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
“Buck” Rogers spent the next 26 years as owner and operator of the Flying “R” Ranch in Highland County. He served as President of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
Throughout his careers, Col. Rogers sang as a soloist in concerts, churches, synagogues, and in professional opera productions.
The latter 20 years were spent enjoying friends and family while including a few rounds of golf and announcing many a wonderful little league championship game.
His son, Robert Arthur Rogers, preceded him in death in 1954. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Rogers; his sister, Margo Kurtz; his sons, Bill Rogers and Scott Rogers; his daughters, Anne ( Glenn ) Roush and Barbara (David) Harrison; and his grandchildren, Madeline, Ted and Sarah Rogers, Rebecca, Emily and Cynthia Roush and Amy, Wade and Kimy Harrison. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 4 p.m. at the Hillsboro First Presbyterian Church located at 201 East Main St., Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Memorial contributions should be given to the First Presbyterian Church. The United States Air Force will accord Colonel Rogers full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on June 16, 2010 at 1 p.m.
The Turner & Son Funeral Home, Hillsboro, is serving the family. For more information and to sign our on-line register, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc
Colonel Robert Conant Rogers, known as “Buck” Rogers, 92, died March 2, 2010 at his home in Hillsboro. Colonel Rogers was born Dec. 7, 1917 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of Arthur Earl Rogers and Grace Conant Rogers. He attended the New Mexico Military Institute and the University of Southern California, graduating in 1939 with a degree in Business Administration. On Dec. 20, 1941, he and Virginia Austin were married in Phoenix, Arizona.
He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp on Dec. 13, 1941 at Luke Field, Arizona. After combat training, he was assigned to the European Theatre of Operations as a fighter pilot and squadron commander in the 367th Fighter Group. He flew 92 combat missions including the Normandy Invasion. He was a highly decorated fighter pilot. His many medals and awards included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Presidential Unit Citation. He returned to the United States in 1945 attaining the rank of Lt. Colonel as Deputy Group Commander of the 367th Fighter Group. His several Air Force assignments included; Air Force Attaché to Brazil and Base Commander of Selfridge Air Force Base, Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He retired as a Full Colonel in June, 1964 from Wright Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
“Buck” Rogers spent the next 26 years as owner and operator of the Flying “R” Ranch in Highland County. He served as President of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association.
Throughout his careers, Col. Rogers sang as a soloist in concerts, churches, synagogues, and in professional opera productions.
The latter 20 years were spent enjoying friends and family while including a few rounds of golf and announcing many a wonderful little league championship game.
His son, Robert Arthur Rogers, preceded him in death in 1954. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Rogers; his sister, Margo Kurtz; his sons, Bill Rogers and Scott Rogers; his daughters, Anne ( Glenn ) Roush and Barbara (David) Harrison; and his grandchildren, Madeline, Ted and Sarah Rogers, Rebecca, Emily and Cynthia Roush and Amy, Wade and Kimy Harrison. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 4 p.m. at the Hillsboro First Presbyterian Church located at 201 East Main St., Hillsboro, Ohio 45133. Memorial contributions should be given to the First Presbyterian Church. The United States Air Force will accord Colonel Rogers full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on June 16, 2010 at 1 p.m.
The Turner & Son Funeral Home, Hillsboro, is serving the family. For more information and to sign our on-line register, please visit www.turnerfuneralhomes.cc
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