Ronald Wayne Rogers

FAIRHOPE, AL Ronald W. Rogers died quietly in his Fairhope home August 17. He was 69. Dr. Rogers’ life was devoted to social justice and change, beginning with his voter registration work in Mississippi, where thankfully a nearly successful attempt on his life was interrupted. Since then, his prolific research as a social psychologist (over 100 articles, convention papers, book chapters, edited books) is recognized internationally, and has been cited in social psychology textbooks around the globe for decades. His contribution to social change research and to the formation of a theoretical basis for improving health behaviors is of immeasurable benefit to us all. He received numerous prestigious awards (e.g., Outstanding Book on Human Rights and Research Classic in Social Psychology) as well as being on federal advisory panels and being consulting editor for numerous journals. The list is lengthy. For the last two decades of his professional life, he was Dean of the Graduate School (awarding over 20,000 graduate degrees) and Assistant Academic Vice President at the University of Alabama, where he was also a Professor of Psychology for years before, chairing 34 dissertations. His generosity with his kindness as well as his unwavering respect for all people are a model for everyone who knew him. Most of us have never known his match. He was a humble man, who was a moral giant, giving credit for everything he did to someone else. During his last weeks, his Fairhope home became a pilgrimage site for friends and former students. Dr. Rogers lived a rich, full life and left it contentedly. He leaves behind his wife, Dr. Margaret Robberson Rogers; his son and daughter, Dr. Andy Rogers and Dr. Catherine Rogers, of Atlanta, Georgia; and his two sisters, Linda Vance (and family) and Hazel Rogers (and family) of Memphis Tennessee. Friends and family will do their best to fill his shoes, but truly do not believe that all of them together could fill even one. Family has had a ceremonial commemoration. Please donate to your most cherished social cause without using his name, just as he would have wanted. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE, AL 36532 (251)990-7775