Clyde Charles Rogers, Jr. passed away on Dec 2nd, 2025 at age 81. Clyde, also called “Chuck” by many family and friends, was born in Tacoma Washington and was undoubtedly one of the first “Baby Boomers”, a generation started at the end of World War II. Chuck was a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and the eldest son of Clyde (Sr.) and Helen Rogers who both preceded Chuck in death.
In his early years Chuck did extremely well in school as well as being an accomplished athlete and great asset to his high school track and field team. Chuck earned a varsity letter “M” in track and field as a member of the Mills High Harriers, Varsity Cross County, while also winning competitions in the high hurdles and pole vault. After graduating high school, Chuck studied Psychology at San Francisco State University for 3 ½ years, during which time he met and married Nancy VanLaanen. Chuck and Nancy joined the Bahai’i Faith and had their daughters Heather and Jennifer before moving to the East Coast state of Vermont. Chuck and Nancy had two more daughters, Melissa, and Leah. All four daughters are strong independent women. Chuck was Poppy to his grandchildren, Zach, Callan, Max, MaryLu and Anissa and great grandchildren Elliot and Josiah. Chuck was devoted to his family and to his faith.
Chuck had many jobs throughout his career. While attending University, Chuck was in charge of training penguins in an exhibit at San Francisco’s Fisherman Wharf. Tourists literally flocked to the shows and afterwards Chuck would often take several penguins for a walk along Fisherman’s Wharf. Chuck’s main forte though, was maintaining and supervising maintenance of power plants producing electricity. It did not seem to matter whether the power plant was fueled by wood chips, hydroelectric, or even a small nuclear source, Chuck was at ease making sure his plants could operate at capacity.
Chuck moved to Lawrence Kansas in 2019, where he lived until he recently moved to Lee Summit MO. Chuck was preceded in death by his wife, parents and younger brother Tom. He is survived by his four daughters, sister Nancy and brother Eric and many close friends across the country.
The family suggests memorial gifts sent to the hello in there foundation: https://www.thehellointherefoundation.org/