Died peacefully on November 22, 2011 in Victoria after an eight year struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He leaves his loving wife of 51 years, Marion (nee Cowley); his three children, Gordon (Gina), Geoffrey and Alison Trembath (Toby); three grandchildren, Chelsea, Brittany and Amelia; niece, Susan and countless colleagues; friends and patients.
Roger was born in Vancouver on February 6, 1928. He received his BA and BSW from UBC and practised group social work until he entered medicine in 1955. He interned at St. Paul’s Hospital and practised as a Family Doctor in Vancouver for twenty five years, emphasizing prevention and an holistic approach to health. Gradually his interests led him into alternative and complementary medicine, especially for cancer patients and the founding with his colleague, Dr. Hal Gunn, of the Centre for Integrated Healing , now InspireHealth, in Vancouver. He opened a satellite office in Sidney in 2001, retiring in 2005. Roger was the grateful recipient of many awards and acknowledgements, culminating in the presentation of the Order of British Columbia in 2001 for “outstanding pioneer work in alternative and complementary medicine.” The Hecht Foundation has established a quarter million dollar prize in his name given biennially to a leader in complementary and alternative medicine. Roger was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. Although his medical work was the centrepiece of his life, he enjoyed family camping and hiking, travel, boating and fishing. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in North Saanich, serving as a sidesman and president of the Men’s Club.
A Service of Celebration of Roger’s Life will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Mills Rd. and West Saanich Rd.,North Saanich, on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 2:00 pm. Flowers are gratefully declined. A donation in Roger’s name may be made to InspireHealth, 1330 W 8th Ave., Vancouver, BC, V6H 4A6. Special thanks to the dedicated and caring staff of the second floor of the Central Care Home in Victoria who made such a difficult journey bearable. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
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Norman Robinson
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Christopher Lam Dear Marion and family,
Nancy and I want to once again offer our heartfelt condolences to you. The church service was dignified and fitting, and it was good to see you. I will always remember Dr. Rogers as a kind gentleman, pioneer, esteemed colleague and friend since we met and collaborated – he succeeded me as president – in the Association of Complementary Physicians of BC. Among other things, he took our concerns and suggestions to the BC Ministry of Health, and assisted in the preparation for the complementary-integrative medicine conference at the University of Victoria. I feel honoured to have known and worked with him during those eventful years.
When the Dr. Rogers Prize for excellence in complementary medicine was first announced, I was happy to nominate another inspirational pioneer in the field, the late Dr. Abram Hoffer, who went on to be a co-winner. I feel very privileged to have known these great men.
Thank you for looking after Dr. Rogers so well (and for the boat trip to a gulf island and supper years ago).
Best wishes,
Chris Lam
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Patricia Buchinski & Family Sorry to hear about Dr. Rogers passing. He was our family physician for many years. He was one of the best.
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Verna, Fred and Family Our condolences to Marion and family.
Roger was a special friend and business partner for many years.
We were especially saddened when we saw him struggle with Alzheimer’s. He is at last at peace with this deaded disease.
Love from us all.
Verna, Fred and Family
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Ron Vincent Please accept my heartfelt sympathy in the passing of Roger. As a patient of his in Vancouver for many years, it was a privilege to know him. He was not only a great doctor, but a gentle and warm-hearted, healing, man. Though I had not seen him for some years, he was often in my mind, and will continue to be so. His passing is, as well as your very personal loss, a loss, I believe, to all who knew him. Love to Marion and all Roger’s family. Ron
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Jean Reeve My thoughts and condolences go out to you and your family Pip. I know all that is dear will never fade because of his wonderful legacy both in his family and his lifetime achievements.
May you be comforted in memories of your loved one.
Jean
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Sharlene and Russ in Whitehorse Ali and family.
We are thinking of you today.
Love from Sharlene, Russ and Riley.
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Gord & Lil Webb Dear Mrs. Dr. Rogers and family
I’m sure you don’t remember “The Webbs”, it’s been so long. I was a close friend of Wendy Pettovello’s and it was she who introduced us to Dr. and “Mrs.” Dr. Rogers. We had a family of five and all the problems that go along with it and I don’t know how we would have survived without the two of you!!! Gord and I have now been married for nearly 56 years (thanks to dear Dr. Rogers) who didn’t brush off emotional problems to just “being a woman” !! He was the most caring man I have ever met !! Please accept our deepest sympathy and sincere thanks for being such a wonderful influence in our lives. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.With Much Love, Gord and Lil Webb
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Merilyn Anderson-Juriloff I first went to Dr. Rogers over 50 years ago when I was just 15 years old. His practice was new then. He also delivered my youngest son whom is named Roger in honour of Dr. Rogers. My condolences to the family and I have always and will always remember him with fondness and good memories. He was a warm wonderful kind and compassionate man. Being his patient when I was a young mother I learned much from him and he was always able to make be feel better. My prayers are with the family and due to the travel distance I am unable to attend the funeral. Again my heart felt condolences to Marion and the children and grandchildren.
Merilyn
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Peter Chance Dear Marion and your family
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your beloved husband and father to your children.
Sincerely
Peter
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Guy Hamel Dear Marion: I want you to know that I have you in my thoughts and prayers as you mourn the loss of your beloved husband. Reading the obituary, tells me that he was a generous soul and a kind man.
I regret that I cannot be there at the Celebration of Mr. Rogers’s life.
Will see you soon.
Sincerely
Guy Hamel
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Della Burford My thoughts and condolences to Marion and family.. Dr. Rogers was one of the most special people in my life and on finding cancer had spread further than originally thought and hearing him speak.. he said he would come in early and see me the next morning . He became my doctor that helped me on a difficult journey and I know he did this with so many others .He was known for being so considerate and his care was an example of how it should be . He will not be forgotten and lives on in so many peoples hearts .. eternally grateful.. thank you Dr. Rogers.
http://inspirehealthbc.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/miracle-galaxy-a-self-healing-story-by-della-burford/
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Bob Berze Marion and Family
I am saddened to read in today’s Sun of Roger’s passing. While it was 54 years ago that I boarded with his mum while attending UBC, I still have good memories of you and Roger. Medicine has lost a dedicated doctor.
My condolences and hope this finds you in good health.Bob and Elaine Berze
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DOT MCPHERSON My thoughts are with you Pip. Last August my husband passed away. He was dealing with dementia and every thing else that could wear out. As wives we made the journey with them. Now we are the boss if there was any doubt. This is a new journey and takes a lot of adjusting to. Our family have been very supportive. I fondly remember the years that we worked together and also the wart
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David and Sandi Harder Marion, Sandi and I are thinking of you during this time. We were aware of the difficult last few years.
It was for me such a delight to have been in the same graduating class as the 2 of you. I do believe that Roger’s various involvements in medical practice were as fulfilling for him as mine have been for me.Love from David and Sandi Harder
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Joanne THring Dear Marion and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Love Joanne.
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Edna and Wayne Waters To Rogers family:
Edna and I were very sorry and saddened by the News of Dr. Rogers passing.
Please give our heartfelt condolence to Dr. Marion Rogers who has been a life long partner to such a wonderful man.Love Edna and Wayne Waters.
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Lillian Olsen Pip I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am to hear of your husbands passing. This getting older is getting harder with friends and friends love ones passing. I remember you fondly Lillian
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Dave Milliken Dear Dr Marion and family
I was so shocked to hear of Dr Rogers passing and I offer you my deepest sympathies for your loss as a husband and father to your family. He was a super person in my journey of life and was the person who brought my two sons (Michael & Robbie) into this world and provided my ex wife (Sharon) and I much needed marital counselling in the early years.. My family and I are extremely grateful for his guidance and medical knowledge while he was in his Vancouver practice and he will be eternally etched in my memory as a great and compassionate man.
Gratefully yours and with deepest sympathies
Dave Milliken and Doriel
Vancouver
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Heather Bells Trefoil Surrey, B.C. Dear Pip, Our sincerest condolences on the loss of your dear one. Our prayers are with you at this sad time.
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Julian and Sylvia Hawryszko Dear Marion,
We remember with pleasure the times we have visited with you and Roger. He was a wonderful person and so easy to talk to.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Love, Julian and Sylvia Hawryszko
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Jim O'Neil Dear Marion and Family;
May you all find Peace and comfort in Roger’s life, and passing. A true gentleman, wonderful father and a poineer in his career of alternative medicine. My thoughts are with you, and we are all better people for having known him.
Regards;
Jim O’Neil
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Anita Kardos Dear Marion and family. We are so saddened to learn about the news of Mr. Rogers passing. His obituary is so beautifully written and although we didn’t personally know him, many of his values are shared by Marion and demonstrated each time she volunteers her time at the airport as a dedicated member of our Victoria Airport Red Coats. We wish you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Your friends at the Victoria Airport are thinking of you.
Most sincerely.
Anita Kardos and team at the Victoria International Airport
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Judith Parkes Marion, so sorry to hear of Roger’s passing. I have fond memories of you both at St. Mary’s and on the trip to Oberammergau.
With my condolences
Judith Parkes
Dear Marion, I only learned yesterday from a mutual friend of Roger’s and mine of Roger’s passing. I have been in Palm Springs since mid-October and consequently have not been able to know what is happening at home. I am so sorry to have not been at his service.
Please accept my deepest condolences. He was a wonderful friend, a great companion and a wise and caring doctor. I am especially grateful for the care that he gave my mother over the years. I will always treasure the memories of our school days together, our university years and the numerous fishing trips we did together. We have lost a wonderful person.
Normie