Fred Rogers

Buried at Hills of Eternity in Seattle, WA

Obituary:

Fred Rogers, entrepreneur, but above all, a journalist, dies at 83

By Sheila Lalwani

Seattle Times staff reporter

Fathers are known to pass on pearls of wisdom to their daughters.

Fred Rogers passed his love of writing and passion for journalism to his daughter, Linda Morgan. Though later in life he became well-known for his entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit, he spent the early part of his career as a writer, including stints with the San Francisco Chronicle and the Office of War Information.

He never forgot his days as a journalist, even after establishing Fred Rogers Co., a ship-supporting business. Morgan followed in his footsteps and became a journalist.

"He liked to think of himself as a journalist," Morgan said. "All my writing ability came from him. He used to look at my papers in school and come up with a better introduction."

Mr. Rogers, a longtime Mercer Island resident, died Friday, Aug. 23, after an extended illness. He was 83. He had prostate cancer and Parkinson's disease.

He was born Nov. 25, 1918, to Emma and Harold Rogers, and was the third of nine children. He graduated from Broadway High School in 1937 and from the University of Washington in 1941 with a degree in journalism. He served in the Army during World War II and helped organize newspapers in several Army camps.

It was while working for the Office of War Information that he met his wife, Frances.

She remembered how, on their third date, he tried to give her his fraternity pin and suggested they get engaged. Frances turned him down, but he continued to ask. She finally relented and they were married in 1945. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in March.

Mr. Rogers established the Fred Rogers Co., which became known as a large supplier of duty-free merchandise to ships, airports and tax-free shops around the world.

Mr. Rogers devoted much of his time to philanthropic efforts. He was founding president of the Seattle chapter of the Leukemia Society of America and served on its national board of trustees. He also served on several boards of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the Cornish College of the Arts. He was president of the Temple De Hirsch Sinai and the Washington State Jewish Historical Society. He was active in the Jewish Federation, the Kline-Galland Home and the Stroum Jewish Community Center.

Most important, he was there for his family, his daughter said.

"I will remember how he would do anything for his family," she said. "He got most of his enjoyment from us. He would choose to spend time with his children and grandchildren. He was a fantastic father."

Mr. Rogers is also survived by his son, Jimmy Rogers, and Jimmy Rogers' wife, Theresa; his grandchildren, Melissa Morgan Nelson and her husband, Marty; Todd Morgan; Zoey and Sabina Rogers; and his great-granddaughter, Ariella Nelson. He is also survived by his brothers, William Rogers and his wife, Bettyann; Morton Rogers; Herb Rogers; Sidney Rogers; Robert Rogers and his wife, Bunny; his sister, Marilyn Wax, and her husband, Sydney. His sisters Lorraine Rogers and Helene Waldbaum Sprincin preceded him in death.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Temple De Hirsch Sinai in Seattle, followed by interment at Hills of Eternity Cemetery. The family is asking that remembrances be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Source: http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20020825&s...