Robert "Bob" B. Rogers

“Waiting for spring.”

Robert “Bob” Bolich Rogers, 92, of Athens, PA was peacefully reunited with the love of his life among the field of gold on June 9th following the “long goodbye” of Alzheimer’s disease.

Born to the late Clifford and Alice (Barr) Rogers in Sayre, PA on January 4, 1934, Bob was a 1952 graduate of Athens Area High School. He went on to serve his country in the United States Air Force from 1953-1957, during which time he traveled far, acquired many friends, and made everlasting memories before being honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

After his time in the Air Force, Bob attended the Pennsylvania State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education in January of 1961. On the 26th of the same month, Bob and his loving wife, Nancy (Alexander), were wed in a small ceremony in their hometown of Athens. In December of that year, they welcomed their first child, Leslie, and added a son, Douglas, in January of 1964. As they started their family, Bob and Nancy lived in New Jersey while Bob worked for IBM and continued his post-baccalaureate education.

Bob and Nancy returned to Athens when their children were little to deepen their roots closer to their families, and Bob worked at the Ingersoll Rand for a period of time before being hired by his alma mater, where he taught World History at Harlan Rowe Middle School until his retirement in 1996. A fierce advocate of the teaching profession as a whole, Bob assumed several additional roles within the district, including AAEA union president, and he continued to substitute teach for ten years following his retirement.

Aside from being a lifelong educator (because he never truly stopped teaching), Bob served his community as a life member of the Athens Borough Fire Department’s Protection Hose Company, an Athens Borough councilman (where he designed the flag of Athens), a board member of the Tioga Point Museum, and a member of the Sayre-Athens Lions Club.

Of all his accomplishments and accolades, the titles Bob wore most proudly were those of Dad and Poppy. Whether it was assisting with schoolwork and projects, teaching a teenager how to drive, or attending musical concerts and sporting events, Bob was one constant force who could be counted on to be present for his family when he was needed most. Grammy’s and Poppy’s house was a central meeting spot for holidays, summers, and “nice gatherings,” and Poppy was a steady presence through it all, always ready with a joke, story, or baked good to share.

A more patient, kind-hearted, generous, and devoted man never lived, and Bob’s only enemies in life were the squirrels and woodchucks that ransacked his bird feeders and gardens. Aside from being a steadfast family man, Bob was an avid reader, world traveler, talented gardener, lover of nature and the arts, close follower of Penn State athletics, and big fan of a cold beer on a sunny porch.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Nancy, in May of 2025; siblings Clifford Rogers, Marjorie (Rogers) Bonney, Doris (Rogers) Talada, and two infant sisters; parents-in-law James and Catherine Alexander, several siblings-in-law, and other relative and friends.

Remembering Bob are his children, Leslie (Jeffrey) Laninger of State College, PA and Doug (Trudy) Rogers of Waverly, NY; grandchildren Patrick (Alison) Laninger and namesake Robert (Courtney) Laninger of State College, Megan Rogers (Joshua Lamont) of Athens, and Cameron Rogers (Jennica Rockwell) of Cumberland, MD; great grandchildren Thomas, James, Maeve, and Noelle Laninger of State College; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Erlene Rogers of Elizabethtown, KY; brother-in-law and sister-in-law James and Carol Alexander of Sayre; and many other extended relatives and friends.

Bob will also be dearly missed by special nieces Diane Williams and Janet Haines; longtime friends Roxanne and Butch Ayers; and “bonus family” members Mark and Tricia Douglas of Sayre and their children and grandchildren Garret (Melanie) Douglas, Maricia (Jeramy) Malanoski, Jayden, Jayna, Austin, Hudson, and Paisley.

Bob’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the staff at Bradford Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their exceptional and dignified care of Bob in his final years of life.

Together again, as they were in life, calling hours for friends and family will be held on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from 12:00pm – 1:30pm for Bob and Nancy at the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 225 South Main Street, Athens. A Time of Remembrance honoring Bob and Nancy will follow at 1:30pm at the funeral home.

Military honors for Bob will be held at 2:00pm at the funeral home with the Air Force Honor Guard and the Valley Color Guard presenting.

Following the service, Bob and Nancy will be laid to rest together in Tioga Point Cemetery, Athens, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob and Nancy’s memory may be made to: Spalding Memorial Library, 724 S. Main St., Athens, PA 18810 – https://spaldinglibrary.org or The Bridge of the Penn-York Valley Churches, PO Box 202, Sayre, PA 18840 – https://www.thevalleybridge.com.

For those wishing to sign the E-guestbook, send condolences, or flowers, may do so by visiting www.loweryfuneralhome.com.

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