Joe Rogers

December 5, 1944 – November 23, 2015

With the passing of Joe Rogers, our community has suffered a great loss. Joe was a loving husband, devoted father and grandfather and a true friend of many. Joe Rogers was born Dec. 5, 1944 in Big Springs, Texas. Joining the U.S. Air Force changed his life. He was posted to Sacramento, Calif. working in communications/technology. On a dare he took a college class. He loved it; he loved studying and became a life-long learner. Here he also found his wife-to-be, Judy, and they were married on Jan. 28, 1966. Their children, Pete and Kassen, were born there too. Joe continued his studies at Sacramento State University majoring in sociology and anthropology receiving a master’s degree in anthropology. In the summer of 1970 the family moved to Moses Lake where Joe began his teaching career at Big Bend Community College.

Joe Rogers had many passions. He dedicated his working life to BBCC where he taught sociology, anthropology, photography and marriage and the family. In 1976 he earned an MFA in print-making from WSU. His artistic photographs hang in many homes. Students loved his classes and the special rapport he developed with them. Even after his retirement in 2005, students would visit telling him what a positive affect he had on their lives. He was passionate about music. He played many instruments including the banjo and the slide guitar. He has a wide collection of various stringed instruments he got around the world. He organized and managed two local bands, The Time Flyer and 17 by 90. If you wanted to learn how to play an instrument or just play music, Joe was always ready to jam with you.

Joe volunteered for many causes. He was a founding member of Columbia Basin Allied Arts. For more than twelve years he has chaired the Moses Lake Trails and Pathways Team. He worked tirelessly to build and improve our community’s biking and walking trails. He was very proud of the new Blue Heron Trail which is so popular and an asset to our town. Joe was an active guy. He climbed Mt. Rainier, ran many marathons, canoed our waterways, biked and jogged. He read voraciously, silk-screened photographs and traveled near and far. He was excited by technology and was always ready for something new whether an idea or an adventure.

He is survived by his wife, Judy; son Pete (Zeinab); daughter Kassen (Lars); three grandchildren Leif, Pelle and Baylor.

Graveside memorial will be held at Guarding Angels Cemetery, 2595 Road L NE on Monday, Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory.

In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted at the BBCC Foundation to honor Joe Rogers at 7662 Chanute, Moses Lake, WA 98837.