George I. Rodgers, II

Peace be with you. This is a letter to share my physical life on Earth, until my passing. I was born in York, Pa, and after moving to Williamsport in 1959, it became my hometown. From an early age, I had a natural love of relating to people and the enjoyment of “work.” Family was always the priority. As life unfolded, with good and bad times, finding a way to make things work was extremely valuable and rewarding.

My parents were George I. Rodgers I and Marguerite Rodgers Phillips. I spent many happy hours as a child learning to fly fish on Cedar Run and Pine Creek, playing in Spruce Creek at our Graysville Cabin and going to the NJ Shore sitting in the back seat between my big brother, Bill and my big sister Diana. Our circle of love expanded when we welcomed Bill’s wife, Erla and Diana’s husband, John Konkle, and their offspring.

Eventually, I was also joyful to meet a half-sister, Beth (Rodgers) Caltrider.

I met my Mary Ellen in 1976 and we married in 1979. As a couple, our capacity for love was expanded by the births of our children, Laura and Luke. All aspects of life’s extreme hardships and bliss were now shared among the four of us along with Laura’s dear husband, Peter Grafius.

My pursuit of sound judgement and reason was enhanced greatly through life and work experiences. Increased responsibilities in the military and work, as well as my desire to learn and become more proficient in various disciplines helped me become focused. These pursuits took on a perspective that I was becoming a servant, steward, and student of the bounty offered to me.

Working with people energized me. Continually working in age related capacities from 4th grade through High School, I shoveled snow, completed grounds work, provided household assistance for the elderly, broke thoroughbred racehorses for family friends, and worked at Sears.

After high school, an opportunity presented itself to go out west, resulting in employment in CO with Vail Associates working on the trial crew, gondola, and construction. I had some notable experiences there. Our group nurtured a three-year-old Golden Eagle, named Phyllis, who had been shot and was soon to die. The process was overseen by appropriate Game Commission and Veterinary guidance. We left her strong and in her domain on the mountain at Vail. My adventure was cut short when I was inducted into military service in the last draft lottery for Vietnam. I was moved when one of the Vail founding fathers, Bill Brown, a Ranger in the 10th Mountain Division in WW II, sought me out to wish me the best with my new service duty.

Although Vietnam was unpopular, I choose duty to my country and enlisted in the US Navy. That experience turned out to be a game changer in my life, enhancing skills transferable to my career. This positive personal growth also presented an incurable service-related illness that appeared 50 years later. Hence, this letter.

I turned turn down the offer to reenlist in the officer training program, terminating duty after 4 years active and 2 years inactive service, leaving with the Vietnam Service, National Defense Service, and Combat Action Medals. My only command was the USS Rogers DD-876, with homeports of San Diego, CA and Portland, OR, completing duty as an Operations Specialist Second Class Petty Officer.

I then took advantage of a time in life without any commitments and a totally open agenda. I signed up as an independent bicycle rider with Bikecentennial 1976, covering approximately 4500 miles from May 17 to July 27, with layovers in Missoula, MT and Denver, CO and various other points of interest. I witnessed changes in landforms, climate, vegetation, and wildlife. Meeting people across our country was one of the most patriotic and uplifting experiences of my life.

Afterward, I returned home to Williamsport, enjoying the warmth of family and friends. After reviewing my options, I accepted jobs in social work, the trades, and eventually entered the financial industry with IDS, the company in which my father had long been established. After a few years, I accepted an offer with Motorola, in that I was familiar with that company and their products in the Navy. I turned down an offer to relocate to Paris, because of a desire to stay in Northcentral PA being a priority, being a “homesteader”, and making things happen here.

Through the years, my love for Northcentral PA grew as I explored the watersheds of my home region and spent family time on Pleasant Stream and at High Springs Hunting Club at Bear Run Hollow. I was honored to be a charter member and Board Member of The Northcentral PA Conservancy. I was able to pursue my interest in martial arts and obtained my black belt from the Goshin School. Over the years, I ceased to spar, but I maintained the physical and meditative practice of Kata forms.

As members of Lake Mokoma Association, our family spent many happy days at our cottage and in the surrounding Sullivan County majesty. I lost myself for many hours windsurfing in the sunny breezes and found myself resisting coming in out of the preludes to storms, when the wind really got blowing.

Time marches on and another opportunity presented itself with Commonwealth Bank and Trust in the Trust Dept. I was able to gain extremely valuable experience and educational advancement with their team. Banking and financial services in this era were in the process of mergers and acquisitions. These changes presented challenges and opportunities resulting in my leaving banking and entering brokerage. Expanded educational, licensing, and designations were in line with my desire to learn as much as possible about the disciplines. This led me to become a Financial Advisor, ultimately at Morgan Stanley. I truly loved serving my clients and felt like they were my aunts and uncles, cousins, and friends. I miss them still.

Realizing it was time to start another phase of my life. I retired in 2019 and was honored to serve beside Mary Ellen as family caregiver for some of those I love the most.

One of the many “shared mysteries” we all must deal with is “What happens when I die?” I’m comforted by my faith and beliefs. I was an active member of St. Boniface Roman Catholic Church until family caregiving required some time away. I am peaceful in my heart since I was able to receive the Sacrament of the Sick and will be sent off with the soul touching ritual of the Mass of Christian Burial.

Best wishes, George and his family.

The family will receive friends from 4:30-6:15 pm on Thursday, April 16th at Sanders Mortuary, 821 Diamond St., Williamsport, with military honors by the Korean War Veterans to begin at 6:30 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial to honor George will be held at 11 am on Friday, April 17th at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 326 Washington Blvd., Williamsport. Burial will be held privately. Please note: Due to family members who are immune compromised, it is asked that those who are ill do not attend unless they feel that masking is adequate.

Online condolences may be made on George’s memorial page at www.SandersMortuary.com.