David B. Rogers
David Baldwin Rogers, 81, of Decatur passed away on Saturday, May 6, 2017 at Adams Memorial Hospital Emergency Room after having suffered two strokes and breathing complications. He was born on May 28, 1935 in Menston, Yorkshire, England to Eric and Phyllis (Baldwin) Rogers. He was married on May 20, 1989 in Fort Wayne to Susan Ann Cooper.
He was educated at Menston primary school and then at Salts school before doing further education at Bradford Technical College to be a draughtsman. He was a veteran of the Royal Air Force (RAF), having served after the conclusion of World War II as an engineer on the airplanes.
He was a well-known and respected engineer in the UK automotive industry. He worked for many of the leading automotive engine component suppliers in the UK. He was responsible for the design and development of many internal combustion engine components with an emphasis on pistons for gas and diesel engines. Rising to the rank of vice-president of both engineering and marketing for GKN Pistons, one of the leading suppliers of automotive components in the UK, he then moved to the GKN Technology group where he was instrumental in developing Metal Matrix composite materials for use in internal combustion engines. This led to him working with the Zollner Piston Company of Fort Wayne, eventually moving to the USA in 1988. He continued to work his engineering and marketing skills at Zollner and also became the foundry manager.
He left Zollner for new challenges with the Amcast group as they developed their low-pressure die casting technology. He worked at both their Fremont and Gas City facilities in Indiana before overseeing the construction of the Amcast, state of the art, facility in Wapakoneta, Ohio. Upon completion, he managed the facility before retiring and entering the consulting field.
People who knew him will recall that he was a true Yorkshire Man who given a task he would work tirelessly until the job was brought to a successful completion.
He and his wife have been foster parents for over 25 years to several children, some of whom they adopted. Opening his home and his heart in this manner was always a special gift that he was able to provide. He enjoyed reading and stamp collecting along with gardening. He liked his sport, playing both football and cricket, playing cricket for Menston and Lymington when he moved south with his job. He was well known for both batting and spin bowling. David was also active in the Adams County 4-H Horse and Pony Program in which his daughter, Kirstyn, participated.
He is survived by his wife of Decatur; three daughters, Kirstyn Rogers; and Samantha (Kris) Myers, both of Decatur; and Lesley (Steve) Taylor of Plymouth, England; brother, Jeffrey Michael Rogers of Leeds, England; five grandchildren, Daniel (Michelle) Riden; Andrew Riden; Nicholas (Laura) Riden; Zoe Myers; and Alexander Myers; and four great-grandchildren, Jacob Riden; Annabelle Riden; Rebecca Riden; and Lois Riden.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Rogers; and two sisters-in-law, Susan Rogers; and Rita Rogers.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur.
Memorials may be made to Adams County Community Foundation Angel Fund – Heart.
Arrangements provided by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.zwickjahn.com.