Lasting Memories
Avery William Rogers
Nov. 8, 1924-June 14, 2011
Menlo Park, California
In Loving Memory of Avery W. Rogers
Avery W. Rogers passed away after a long illness on June 14, 2011, he was 86 years old.
Avery was preceded by his loving parents Bessie and William Rogers and his only son, David. He is survived by his wife, Irene of Menlo Park; his daughter Lynn Rogers of San Jose and her children Vanessa and Megan Flautt; his daughter and son in-law Diane and Michael Greenwood of Santa Barbara and their children Brett, Nicholas and Kevin Greenwood; David?s son, Daniel Rogers; his stepson, Saul and Susan Jimenez of Redwood City and his daughter Whitney Callaway; and his stepdaughter, Naomi Silva of Santa Cruz and her children Hallie and Zoe Silva.
A native Californian, Avery was born on November 8, 1924, in Paso Robles, CA. His parents later moved to Concord, CA where his father was the golf instructor, beginning Avery's life-long passion with the game. The Rogers' subsequently moved to Berkeley, where he attended school. Avery was on the Berkeley High golf team with Tim Meadows, truly a friend for life. After graduation from Berkeley High School in 1943, he served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946 primarily in the South Pacific. He was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant to help build and manage a water treatment tank on the island of Morotai. He was very proud if his service in the Army and would often show friends the pictures he kept from the war.
Directly after arriving back into the U.S., he enrolled at the University of California at Berkeley and completed his degree in Business Administration in 3 1/2 years.
The Monday after graduation, he began his 37-year career with the U.S. Geological Survey. He started out in the with the Water Resources Division and then spent 25 years as the Management Officer for the Western Region, headquartered in Menlo Park, CA. He was a longtime member of the Federal Executive Board.
In 1981, he received the Department of the Interior's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award from then Secretary of the Interior James Watt. Those working with Avery remember him as ?Mr. USGS? because he was the penultimate emissary for USGS, upholding a trusting alliance with businesses and representatives in and around Menlo Park.
Always ready with a story, Avery retained the humorous behind-the-scenes chronicles of establishing USGS as the go-to and get-done place.
On October 25, 1981, he married Irene, and after they retired from the USGS in 1986, they worked part-time delivering cars for the John Anderson dealerships and traveled extensively throughout the world, making friends and visiting periodically.
Avery was an avid golfer and member of the exclusive F.L.O.G. society. He and Irene loved to play golf together and with friends. Avery was a long-time member the Elks Club, the Shriners and the Masons.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers who took care of Avery as his disease progressed. In particular, they would like to thank Ricky Clemente for his tireless commitment to providing the best care possible to Avery.
June 22, 2011
Avery was a kind and gentle man. One of a kind. I have fond memories of that boyish smile and his playful nature.
June 22, 2011
I will miss Avery's loving, caring, and kind nature. I always looked forward to our cribbage games when/where ever our adventures took us. I'am very grateful to have known such a wonderful person.
June 21, 2011
Thanks Avery, for your kindness and generosity. I can hear your laugh (just as unique as you). Thanks for the great stories and the practical jokes, and of course, for always keeping the wine glasses full.
June 20, 2011
I remember Avery with fondness and gratitude. A class act!
June 20, 2011
I enjoyed listening to Avery's stories, full of mischievous pranks and unique solutions to peculiar problems. It's clear Avery was very proud of his association with USGS...he is Mr. USGS.
June 20, 2011
June 20, 2011
I'll remember Avery as a top-notch individual and a terrific Management Officer during his time with the USGS -- always striving to provide the best of everything for his Western Region staff. I'll also remember Avery as a very compassionate and caring person, one who was always a pleasure to be around. Avery was known to never lack for a good story to tell on most any occasion, and was always quick on the draw with a suitable tale to tell that would lighten up any situation. Avery will be fondly remembered by folks at the Survey who were fortunate enough to know him during his productive career.
June 19, 2011
