MSG(R) Robert “Bob” Rodgers, passed on January 2, 2024, at Frederick Memorial Hospital, Frederick, Maryland, at the age of 84. Bob was born on May 25, 1939, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania to James and Doris Rodgers. Bob spent his childhood in Carnegie and in 1958, as a young man, enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country for 28 years. He served two tours in Vietnam, and many years in Germany. It was during his first tour in Germany, that he met the love of his life, Erna. They were married in Oberammergau, Germany on April 24, 1961, and welcomed three children into their lives during the following eight years.
When Bob retired from the U.S. Army in 1985, he settled his family in Frederick, and continued to work in communications at Fort Ritchie, Maryland and later at Fort Detrick, Maryland. Bob was a devoted husband and loving father, always putting his family first. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, spending hours in the family pool playing with them. He was particularly fond of the annual family trip to Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. Later in life he developed the hobby of fixing up bicycles for neighborhood kids, becoming known as “the bike man.” Simply stated, he was the best husband, father, and Opa - and we are all happier, wiser, and more disciplined because of him.
Bob is predeceased by wife Erna, and survived by daughters Susie Rodgers of Frederick, MD, and Sandra and husband Dave Roll of Boyds, MD, and son Robert Rodgers and Jacki Weddle of Knoxville, MD; granddaughter Lauren with wife Britt Burr, grandson Jared Rodgers and granddaughter Haiden Rodgers. He is also survived by nephew Steve Fuhrer and wife Julie, and niece Doris Granata. Bob is predeceased by his siblings Doris, Richard, Ethel, and James.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, February 25, 2024, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Stauffer Funeral Home, 1621 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Military honors will take place at 3 p.m.
A chapel service, with Full Military Honors, will be held at Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery, Flintstone, Maryland, on Monday, February 26, 2024, 1 p.m. Interment will take place following the service. Friends are invited to join the family for the service and interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Barrier-Free, (In Memory of Robert Rodgers - Barrier-Free) https://www.barrierfreemd.com/donate.html