Obituary of Robert "Bob" Bryant Rogers

Robert “Bob” Bryant Rogers, age 88, of Buckhannon, WV, died Monday, April 10, 2023, at his home. He was born September 21, 1934, in Kaymoore, WV, a son of the late Bryant and Emily Oxdale Rogers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Marlene Lee Rogers. He is survived by one daughter, Lisa Hinkle and husband Brian of Buckhannon; one son, Robert “Mike” Michael Rogers and wife Kelly of Buckhannon; one granddaughter, Bria Hull and companion Ryan Thorn of Charleston, WV; one grandson, Jeremy Rogers and wife Taylor of Lexington, KY and special friend, Joyce DeBarr of Buckhannon. Bob wore many hats and had many names--husband, dad, papaw, and Mr. Bob. Born eighty-eight years ago and raised in Kaymoor, WV, he designed and built the New River Gorge Bridge many times as a child with his toy erector set just 50 feet from where it would eventually be built. Bob was a graduate from Phillipi High School, where he was classmates with Ted Cassidy, or “Lurch” that later came to fame in the Addams Family.  Upon graduation, he was appointed to the first class of the Air Force Academy but was unable to attend due to family reasons. He went on to obtain his pilot’s license and became an owner of the Charlie Brown Flying School and flew on the Concorde on three separate occasions. He was a salesman for First Flight golf clubs in Melbourne, Florida, then later moved back to his home among the hills in WV where he worked as an equipment operator then later an owner in the mining and reclamation industries. He retired, for the first time, as Vice President of Production from Tarmac (now Vulcan Materials), and later retired a second time after being co-owner of Riverbend Golf Club for 14 years. In addition to his official titles, he later became the unofficial greeter at the Outpost. Bob rarely met a stranger and if they were, he would be able to connect them to someone he knew. He loved playing and watching sports. He supported all local teams and cheered on the Duke Blue Devils. He was a longtime supporter and booster for all of Upshur County athletics. Throughout his life, he was able to play 541 golf courses. His two favorites being Augusta National Golf Course (delaying major surgery to get a round in) and The Old Course at St. Andrews. He was a caddie at the Greenbrier where he met Sam Snead. He later went on to play and beat Snead in an exhibition tournament for the 1963 Forest Festival. He was one of the earliest members of the Buckhannon Country Club. Bob loved sharing stories of golf and teaching youth the game with his latest protégé Camden “Cameron” Egress, who respectfully called him Mr. Bob. How appropriate, for a man that loved golf, to peacefully pass after watching one last round—The Masters. An avid lover of antiques, collecting coins, traveling, playing bridge at the Upshur Country Senior Center, auctions, and reading. He developed a love of riding the stationary bike during the pandemic because his “family won’t let me go anywhere”, and from June 2020 until his passing logged over 23,000 miles! He was a member of the WVWC Emeritus Club. Of all his accomplishments, his family was always his greatest accomplishment. further, his grandkids were his pride and joy. He even rooted for both Marshall and WVU as to not pick a side.  A memorial gathering will be held Wednesday, April 12, 2023, from 3 PM to 6 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held 6 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home with the Rev. Dr. Ellis Conley officiating. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Upshur County Senior Center, 28 North Kanawha Street, Buckhannon, WV 26201 or the First Tee-West Virginia, 1 Frances P. Jordon Way, Charleston, WV 25302. In honoring Mr. Rogers wishes he will be cremated. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.