Bernard Holcomb Rogers' Obituary
Bernard Holcomb Rogers (Bernie) passed away on May 20, 2026 in Houston, Texas at the age of 94. Bernard was born in Houston, Texas on February 27, 1932 to Ollie F. and Ida P. Rogers. Bernard was a lifelong resident of Houston. He graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1950 and graduated from the University of Houston with a BS in Architecture in 1956. After graduation, he entered the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a Second Lieutenant based upon his ROTC education at UH. He served on active duty in Virginia, England, Germany, and Montana, and then in the U.S. Army Reserve in Houston, finishing his military career as a Captain. After his active-duty service ended in 1962, he finally realized his dream of practicing architecture.
Bernard was a perfectionist and strove for excellence throughout his life. In high school, he was first chair in clarinet and oboe, head cheerleader, and All-State in track. He graduated first of three from a starting class of 91 architecture students at UH. He excelled as an officer in the Army. He was an excellent skier and was a member of the Ski Patrol while he lived in Montana. He restored and learned to sail his Star sailboat proficiently. He raised and trained a champion Doberman Pinscher and earned his black belt in Judo. As an architect, he was hands-on to ensure that his projects were built in accordance with his designs; he often fought city hall and won when it concerned code-related issues. He prepared a set of near-perfect plans and specifications for a 16-story office building.
Bernard loved to run! His main event in high school was the 880 yards. After that, he ran sporadically for years until the early 80s when he started jogging at Memorial Park with a group of friends. He ran dozens (if not hundreds) of 5Ks, 5-miles, 10Ks, 10-miles, half-marathons, marathons, and several 200-mile team relays (three with his granddaughter, Jennifer). He was very proud of qualifying and running the Boston Marathon.
Bernard (aka YOS) was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Howard and Richard A. Rogers, and his daughter Sherri J. Hilgenfeld. He is survived by his wife, Deborah Morris, his son, Richard A. Rogers, his daughter-in-law, Myriam E. Rogers, his son-in-law, James R. Hilgenfeld, his grandchildren, Jennifer N. Rogers (aka YLS), Diana J. Rogers (aka YLMS), Christy M. Monsour (aka YSS), and Kathryn J. Hilgenfeld, his grandson-in-law, John J. Monsour Jr., his great-grandchildren, John J. Monsour III, Quinn M. Monsour, Charleston G. Monsour, and Joey D. Rogers, and his niece, Vickie E. Stone.
It is Bernard’s wish that his ashes be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Delaware.
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