GLOUCESTER: Charles F. Rogers, II, 70, died on Monday, August 13, 2007 at his home. He was the husband of Bonnie Hyde.
Born in Middlebury, Vermont on May 22, 1937 he was the son of the late Benjamin and Elsie (Jenney) Rogers. He has resided in Gloucester since 1982.
Charles received his Bachelors and Masters of Architecture from Cornell University and attended the Ecole des Beaux Arts at Fontainebleau, France. He spent three summers in Turkey as a member of the Cornell-Harvard Archaeological Expedition to ancient Sardis.
He worked at the architectural firm, Perry Dean Rogers & Partners since 1965. As a young partner he quickly earned a reputation as a designer. He was the youngest member of the firm when he designed the strikingly modern addition to the Wellesley College Science Center which was awarded the Harelston Parker Medal for “the most beautiful building in Boston” by the Boston Society of Architects in 1987.
Other award winning projects include the Beinecke Student Activities Village and the William Bristol Pool, both at Hamilton College, the Seely Mudd Chemistry Building at Vassar College and the Waidner Library at Dickinson College. Among this recently completed projects are the new Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, the renovation of Alvar Aalto’s Baker House Dormitory at M.I.T. and the new town center and facilities for the Milton Hershey School. He also designed the United States Embassy in Amman, Jordan.
He loved his cats, his gardens and Italy. When his dear cat, Eliot had to have his right back leg removed, Charles spent a week making the house handicapped accessible.
In addition to his wife Bonnie, he is survived by a son, Charles Rogers, III, a daughter, Mara Rogers and his former spouse, Marga Rogers.
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, September 8th in the Independent Christian Church, Unitarian Universalist, Middle Street, Gloucester at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. There are no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Cape Ann Animal Aid, 260 Main St., Gloucester, MA 01930.