IRVINGTON—Walter Harrison Rogers Jr., 100, of Irvington died December 25, 2024.
He was born on August 21, 1924, to Walter Harrison Rogers and Julia Pegram Walker Rogers in Norfolk.
Mr. Rogers is survived by his wife of 76 years, Sue Caroline Kirkpatrick Rogers; his daughters, Margaret R. Hock (Charles) and Julia W. Rogers; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
His sister, Marion Rogers Fast, preceded him in death.
His early years were spent in Dendron and Roanoke. In 1930, the family settled in Hampton, as his father had entered into business with a family friend to form the Spratley-Rogers Motor Company, selling and servicing Ford automobiles and trucks.
Mr. Rogers graduated from Episcopal High School in 1942. He enlisted in the United States Navy to serve during World War II. After training in Logan, Utah, and Bath, Maine, he was assigned to sea duty on the initial voyage of the destroyer USS Larson launched in 1945. After the war, he enrolled in the University of Virginia where he obtained his degree in electrical engineering and was a member of Tau Beta Phi, The Engineering Honor Society. Mr. Rogers held numerous positions in several technical companies, including Melpar and Page Communication Engineers. He served his final position with Versar as their senior vice president and treasurer and proudly led them to a public offering.
Upon retirement in 1987, Sue and Walter moved to White Stone, where they purchased their dream home on Antipoison Creek. Together, they enjoyed sailing throughout the Chesapeake Bay, New England and the Virgin Islands. Mr. Rogers was admired for his navigation and sailing skills and served as commodore of the West River Sailing Club in Galesville, Maryland., and the Rappahannock River Yacht Club in Irvington.
In their retirement years, Sue and Walter hiked throughout England and Europe, mastering the 100-mile Cotswold Way and Hadrian’s Wall.
Mr. Rogers was proud of his English and early American heritage. As a descendant of Christopher Branch, who settled in Henrico in 1624, he was a member of the Jamestowne Society. He was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, as a descendent of Col. Francis Goode.
Mr. Rogers was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock, where he served 15 years as treasurer and assisted in establishing the endowment fund.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the wonderful staff at Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury for their care during his final years.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 4, at Grace Episcopal Church in Kilmarnock. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grace Church Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 1059, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
