Sanford Rogers
June 05, 1941 - October 31, 2021
Sanford (Sandy) C. Rogers was born on
June 5, 1941 to his parents Marvin Sanford Rogers and Ollie Opal
(Fitzgerald) Rogers. Although he was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, he
grew up in the beautiful states of Kentucky and West Virginia.
He graduated from High School in
Barboursville, West Virginia and then enlisted in the Marine Corp.
It wasn’t long before the military decided they had other positions
where they could utilize him. They gave him an Honorable Discharge
and had him fly special ops missions.
After his military service, he began
his married life and fatherhood, working various jobs that often
included flying. His first wife, Karen, died at an early age leaving
behind their four children: Sandy Jr., John, Lee, and Ann.
Sandy had two marriages after Karen’s
death (to Cathy and Robin). At that point in time, he was blessed
with five more children: Vickie, J.T., Stephanie, Tony, and Chrisn.
Then in 1985, he met Terri (Loesch)
Brungardt who already had two little boys, Travis and Ryan. They
married on Nov. 1, 1985 and to this union was born their daughter,
Dusti Ann. When Sandy flew into Heaven on Oct. 31, 2021, it was just
one day shy of their 36th Wedding Anniversary.
Sandy had many accomplishments during
his very busy life, but his proudest was being a Husband, Father,
Grandfather, and Great Grandfather.
His other proud accomplishments
included starting Eagle Med with Jim and Iva Ballard, volunteering
many hours as an EMT for Mt. Hope Ambulance Service, being a
volunteer CPR instructor for the American Red Cross, being a Space
Science educator at the Kansas Cosmosphere, and in later years
working at the Children’s Home in Newton (formerly known as
Youthville).
Sandy was so proud of all the work that
he did to help get Eagle Med Air Ambulance up and running, but his
diabetes stopped him from being able to fly, so he didn’t get to
see it completely grow into fruition. Many years later, Eagle Med
was called to fly his daughter, Dusti, on a flight that saved her
life. He then understood why God had given him the ideas that helped
get Eagle Med off the ground.
Sandy was a member of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, through which he held many
different offices, including Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of
America.
As Sandy’s health declined, he spent
the last nine months in Paramount Senior Living Community, where he
met many new friends – some were his caregivers, and some were
fellow residents. But, all of them made his last months very happy.
Sandy was proceeded in death by his
grandparents, parents, his first wife, Karen, many aunts, uncles, and
cousins, and his stepson, Ryan Brungardt.
He is survived by his wife, children
(and their spouses), grandchildren, great grandchildren, and other
extended family.
Sandy always had a sunny, cheerful,
disposition, which endeared him to many. It was said “He never
knew a stranger.” He was kind, honest, and hard-working, and his
absence will genuinely cause a void in this world.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00
P.M., Saturday (November 13, 2021) at the Kansas Cosmosphere in
Hutchinson, Kansas.
Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial
Funeral Home, Newton, Ks.
