Charles S. Rogers II ’64
1964
Charles S. Rogers II, Bozeman, MT, died January 23, 2024. He was a President’s Medallion supporter of the College.
Born in Jersey City, NJ, Chuck grew up in nearby Fort Lee, enjoying family trips to remote Roscoe, NY, more than the subway ones into Manhattan. He attended the grade school across the street, saw Yankees games with his dad and played high school basketball at All Hallows High School in the Bronx.
Later in college at Saint Michael’s, the ROTC program led him to graduate as an officer in the United States Air Force. His commission landed him in the remote border town of Laredo, TX, where he trained jet fighter pilots on the Northrop T-38 Talon. Laredo turned out to be a prime location to further the love of hunting he learned from his uncles in upstate New York, a perfect spot to test the limits of his Corvette, to taste the exquisite combo of enchiladas and a Dr. Pepper, and a great place to make enduring friendships.
Upon an honorable discharge in 1969, he relocated to Minneapolis, MN where he pinned on a fresh set of wings at Northwest Orient Airlines. Throughout his 33-year career, mostly with NWA and later Delta, Captain Rogers piloted a variety of jet airliners to destinations across the globe where he made smooth landings and delivered passengers safely to their vacations and back home to their loved ones.
Not long after his arrival in Minnesota, he met and fell in love with Pauline (Polly) Smith Hilgendorf and her two young boys. Chuck and Polly were married in 1970 and moved into their first home in Burnsville, MN, after their European honeymoon. While raising the boys, they soon had two daughters and shortly thereafter the family moved to Apple Valley, MN, where another son joined the family.
Chuck’s flying schedule meant countless and excited “daddy’s home!” moments as well as extended periods of time on the ground where he coached his kids in sports, helped with homework, taught them to ski, how to catch a fish, served on their school board, and helped them chase their own passions as well as his own. Travel remained his biggest passion as well as a job perk – one he took great joy in sharing.
He and Polly dotted the globe in their travels, and he took every opportunity to fly each of his kids during one-on-one quick trips to exciting places stateside and abroad. Family trips had them in Hawaii, London, Germany, East Coast visits, beach destinations, and all points between.
It was an unforgettable family ski trip to Big Sky in 1989 that sparked the first of many returns to Montana, and the joyful discovery of a lifestyle that went far beyond the slopes and into the rivers and up the mountain meadows. So unforgettable were these trips that in 1998, with just two years until retirement, the newly empty-nesters packed up and moved to the quaint, charming, bustling, and promising Bozeman.
They took up residence in a beautiful home with views of those very mountains, meadows, and valleys that first stole their hearts. Their home in Triple Tree Ranch was known by family, neighbors, and friends as a place of warm welcome, great food, big laughs, bridge games, fun parties, cozy beds – and free car washes for anyone who parked a car in the driveway for more than 3 hours. In Bozeman, Chuck made and maintained countless friendships, notably with the trap-shooting, self-proclaimed “Old Farts,” and as a proud member in the local Flight 121 of the Order of Daedalians. He also forged deep connections with the priests, staff, and church-goers at Resurrection University Catholic Church, as an usher and volunteering to serve meals to college students.
He was generous to all and loved a hearty meal followed by a bowl of ice cream. Chuck was legendary at spinning an average moment into a great big story. He loved running errands, both his own and for anyone else who needed a Costco run, a trip to the dentist, a ride from the airport, or his snowblower up their driveway.
In 2021 Chuck and Polly downsized into The Springs Living in Bozeman. For Chuck, “assisted living” took on a different meaning as it became a great opportunity for him to assist others—he took every chance to escort residents back to their rooms, walk a neighbor’s dog, run errands for those who couldn’t, and perform other small acts of kindness.
His love of travel and any sort of getaway — seemingly planning the next one before returning from the current one — continued until his last moments. On January 23 just days after returning from a quick solo trip to the warm lights and lively action he loved in Las Vegas, he suffered a severe and devastating stroke. After a few days in Bozeman Deaconess hospital, died peacefully and comfortably at home surrounded by his wife and kids.
A stepson predeceased him. Chuck is survived by his wife, Polly, a stepson, two daughters, two sons, a sister and extended family.