Robert G. ‘Nob’ Rogers
Negaunee
Robert Gordon ‘Nob’ Rogers, 81, of County Rd. Negaunee, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday afternoon, November 25, 2014 at the Eastwood Nursing Center.
Nob was born August 6, 1933 in Negaunee to Melvin ‘Chum’ and Hilda (Tarvainen) Rogers and attended Negaunee schools. He married Donna M. Ecklid on October 25, 1958 and they were lifelong area residents. Nob worked several jobs including work on the family farm in Covington, the Tracy Mine in Negaunee, and his favorite job as Bus Driver for the Negaunee Public Schools. After medical issues left him unable to drive bus he finished his career as a custodian at Lakeview School, retiring in 1995 with 22 yrs of service with the Negaunee Public Schools. After retiring he helped is wife with her in-home daycare.
Mr. Rogers was a member of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Marquette. He was also a firefighter for the Negaunee Fire Department for 21 yrs., many of those as a Captain. Having a strong concern for children and their safety, Nob was instrumental in starting the fire prevention programs that exist in the schools today.
In his spare time Nob enjoyed walking through Cornishtown, the location where he spent most of his childhood and raised his family for several years. He had a tremendous knowledge of Negaunee and its history, and he loved sharing this knowledge with others by volunteering at the Negaunee Historical Society as well as creating many books about Negaunee’s history. He was honored to be named Negaunee’s Citizen of the Year in 1982. Nob served on the Board of Directors and coached Little League Baseball for years and was named the league’s volunteer of the year in 1991. Nob loved being a mentor in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program, and was an enormous influence on the lives of two local kids during his time as a ‘Big Brother.’ He loved basketball and played several years in the Negaunee City League. Nob also organized a noon hour basketball program for kids at Lakeview School. The Miners lost one of their biggest fans as Nob could always be seen in the stands of Negaunee Memorial Gymnasium and walking the sidelines at football games. One of his favorite hobbies was photography as he would take pictures of nearly every child that rode his bus for their Kindergarten graduation. Nob also enjoyed pitching horseshoes in the local leagues and shooting pool in his garage. He also loved camping with his family where he could spend some time fishing, sitting around a fire, and having a cold beer.
Surviving are his loving wife of 56 yrs., Donna M. Rogers; son, Dale (Renee) Rogers; daughter, Julie (Doug) Johnson; grandchildren, Jeff (Allison) Rogers and Kristen (Jason) Washburn; great-grandchildren, Sadie and Lucy Rogers; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifelong friends. Nob was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Clayton ‘Heb’ and Melvin ‘Sonny’ Rogers.
Memorial services will be held at 4:00pm on Monday, December 1st at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Marquette with Rev. Steve Hulke officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 2:00pm until the time of services at 4:00pm at the church on Monday, and also at a dinner in the church hall immediately following the service.
Mr. Rogers’ memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.

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