For Richard K. Rogers Sr., concern for others was rooted in his mother’s dictum to love and respect others and to make a difference.
He was energized in that philosophy by involvement with the United Auto Workers and Chicago organizations including the South Shore Commission, The Woodlawn Organization and Operation PUSH.
“He went to the (1963) March on Washington with the UAW,” according to his brother, Carl, who said Richard was then working at the Ford Motor Co. plant on 130th Street. “He started to get more involved then.”
Rogers worked with The Woodlawn Organization in the late 1960s and early ’70s. “He was one of the most effective organizers we had,” said the group’s longtime leader, the Rev. Leon Finney Jr.
Finney said Rogers helped organize church groups, block clubs and other community groups to work against police misconduct and for better public schools, fair banking practices and fair housing.
Rogers, 72, died of cancer July 7 at his home in Santa Clara, Calif., according to his daughter, Richelle. He and his wife, Patricia, who survives him, moved to California in 1991.
He grew up in the Altgeld Gardens Homes on the Far South Side. He graduated from Harlan High School in 1961 and later took courses at what was then Loop Junior College before getting a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University. He later served on the board of the university’s foundation.
Through his involvement with the UAW at Ford, he became a volunteer with the Chicago Urban League. He later was assistant director of the South Shore Commission, his brother said.
“We were trying to make sure that neighborhoods were not disinvested in or were not redlined by banks that would not make mortgages available (to African-Americans),” Finney said of the work Rogers did.
In the late 1970s and early ’80s, he worked for steel company Joseph T. Ryerson & Son as director of community affairs, his brother said. He moved from there to Honeywell, becoming involved in the computer industry while remaining focused on human resources.
Mel Hopson said he met Rogers more than 40 years ago when both were working in community relations and urban affairs. “Richard was with Ryerson Steel, and he was doing a lot of work with Boy Scouts and community organizations getting jobs for youth,” said Hopson, who retired in 1990 as vice president of diversity for McDonald’s Corp.
From Honeywell, Richards moved to what was then Digital Equipment Corp., later acquired by Compaq Computer Corp., which became part of what was then Hewlett-Packard Co. He retired from Hewlett-Packard in 2005.
Hopson said Rogers was one of 10 founders of the Chicago Rat Pack, a group that has grown to include hundreds of diverse Chicago-area executives concerned with urban problems who meet informally on Wednesday nights to socialize and exchange ideas.
That group developed the Charles E. Curry Foundation, which gives scholarships to young men going to college who are selected based on recommendations from Chicago schools.
“Richard deserves to be remembered and recognized,” Hopson said. “He was one of the guys who led us through some difficult times.”
Rogers is also survived by another daughter, Chevez Wells; sons Richard Rogers Jr. and Earl Wells; brothers William and Stephan; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
His first marriage ended in divorce.
Services were held.
Megan is a freelance reporter.
