Richard Warren Rogers

Richard "Rick" Warren Rogers was born on June 21, 1950, in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, to Phyllis Gene (Stanton) and Garland Wayne Rogers. His early childhood unfolded across the rugged landscapes of western Colorado, where his family moved through oil and mining communities in the Grand Valley (now Parachute), Rifle, and the remote Piceance Creek areas.

Rick's elementary education took place at the Little Rock School House on Piceance Creek, a one-room schoolhouse that served the scattered ranching families of the region. When he reached junior high school age, his family relocated from the isolated Piceance Creek area to Grand Valley, where Rick would complete his secondary education. He graduated from Grand Valley High School in 1968.

Following graduation, Rick enrolled at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, for the fall semester of 1968. However, financial pressures led him to leave school after one semester to work and save money for tuition. His quest for educational funding took him to Alaska, where he worked for several months before returning home to Colorado.

Upon his return from Alaska, Rick found that the U.S. Military was recruiting actively during the Vietnam War era. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 9, 1969. After completing boot camp and additional training, Rick's potential was recognized, and he was encouraged to apply for Officers Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. His acceptance and successful completion of the rigorous training program led to his commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant on July 9, 1970.

As a newly commissioned officer, Rick was assigned as the 1323 Engineer Construction Unit Commander of the 52nd Engineer Battalion at Fort Carson, Colorado. His exemplary service earned him promotion to 1st Lieutenant exactly one year later, on July 9, 1971. It was during his time at Fort Carson that Rick's personal life took a meaningful turn when he met Cheryl Ann Mitchell. The couple married on June 20, 1971, beginning what would become a partnership of over 54 years.

After separating from military service in August 1973, Rick carved out his career path as a heavy equipment and diesel mechanic. His technical skills and work ethic served him well across several major employers throughout Colorado. He worked for Climax Molybdenum Mining in Leadville, taking part in the state's significant mining operations. His career also took him to Flint Engineering in Rangely, where he supported the region's oil and gas industry, and later to Eagle County government in Eagle, Colorado.

Rick's final employment was with the City of Delta, Colorado, where he dedicated many years of service before retirement. He and Cheryl made Delta their home for the last 31 years of his life, deeply embedding themselves in the community. Rick's professional life was marked by his dedication and loyalty as an employee, taking genuine pride in work well done.

However, Rick's greatest joy and purpose in life centered on raising his children. Rick and Cheryl raised five children together: Christine (who married Jason Beatty and lived in Parker, Colorado), Richard (who married Jennifer and lived in Thornton), Teresa (who married Ricardo Apodaca and lived in Eckert, Colorado), Virginia (who married Kelly Johnson and lived in Cortez, Colorado), and Debra (who married Tobie Fodge and lived in Anchorage, Alaska). Through his children, Rick's legacy extended to include 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Rick's true passion lay in Colorado's great outdoors, which he shared generously with his family. He was an avid fisherman, casting lines in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes throughout the state. He hunted for grouse, rabbits, antelope, deer, and elk, teaching these skills to his children. Perhaps most importantly, he treasured camping trips with no other purpose than to listen to crickets, hear coyotes howl, or watch the stars twinkle—always with his children by his side.

Rick was part of a large extended family. He was survived by his brother Russell and sister Peggy Caudillo, both of Alamogordo, New Mexico, as well as three sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law from Montrose, Colorado, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, his parents, and his brothers Robert, Roy, and Timothy, as well as various in-laws and extended family members.

Richard "Rick" Warren Rogers passed away peacefully at his home in Delta, Colorado, on March 16, 2026, at the age of 75. His family planned a private service for the summer in the high country that he loved so deeply. In lieu of flowers, his family requested contributions to children-centered charities, from local 4-H clubs and scout troops to national organizations working to prevent childhood diseases, abuse, or endangerment—a fitting tribute to a man whose greatest joy was nurturing the next generation.