About the Rogers
Susan and Dick Rogers plan to depart Redlands, CA, on their tandem bicycle on February 21, 2009, for a self-supported ride to Dick’s 50th class reunion at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY. They estimate they will travel approximately 3,400 miles over a period of 67 days, including seven rest days, on a route crossing the southern tier of states and then heading north through the states along the eastern seaboard.
They both have been volunteers for Mustard Seed since 2002, Dick having tutored algebra, and Susan English. Dick also has served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer. This is their second fund-raising cross-country tandem ride for Mustard Seed. On July 12, 2004, they departed from the Seattle area and arrived at West Point on September 6, for the 45th reunion of the West Point Class of 1959. They covered 3,134 miles in a total of 57 days, including five rest days. On that trip they raised over $10,500 for Mustard Seed, and they had a thrilling and challenging experience. They saw parts of the United States and Canada they had never visited, and they met friendly, helpful people throughout the trip. They anticipate the same kind of experience on this ride.
Dick was born in Tyler, TX, where he lived until he went to West Point, and upon graduation in 1959, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army. While attending an Army school at Ft. Belvoir, VA, he met Susan Cockill, a native of Greenbelt, MD, who lived nearby and attended Frostburg State Teachers College in Frostburg, MD. They were married on November 25, 1959, making 2009 the year of their 50th wedding anniversary. Two of their sons and their families live in Redlands, and their third son and his family live in Orange, CA. Susan and Dick have four grandchildren: a grandson, age 21; and three granddaughters, ages 22, 6, and 3.
Dick and Susan spent over 23 years in the Army before he retired in 1982 with the rank of Colonel. During that time they had two separate assignments in Germany, and the family spent a year in Hawaii when Dick was assigned to Viet Nam. They have also lived at the U.S. Air Force Academy, CO, and West Point, NY, where Dick had assignments as an instructor and assistant professor of engineering. Susan was a busy mother and housewife until their youngest son was a senior in high school, and at that time she began a career as a preschool teacher.
In 1982, the family relocated to California, where Dick worked as an engineer for TRW, now part of Northrop Grumman, for over 15 years, retiring in 1998. Susan worked as a teacher, director, and owner of a preschool during that time. They are active in their church, The First Baptist Church of Redlands, and Susan also volunteers at the Redlands Community Hospital in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care unit, where she is a “Cuddler.”