R. Scott Rodgers

R. Scott Rodgers, age 74 of Dayton, passed away after a brief illness on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Kettering Health Main Campus. He was born January 12, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland, the son of the late Russell and Virginia Rodgers.

Scott graduated from Dundalk High School in Dundalk, MD Class of 1968. He then attended Essex Community College before joining the United States Navy Submarine Service. In the Navy, he worked as a sonar technician for 2 years during the Vietnam War Era. Scott then furthered his education and obtained his Bachelor's Degree from University of Denver, his Master's Degree from NYU, and his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Maryland - College Park. He then served in the Army National Guard and Air National Guard before joining the United States Air Force in 1992.

Throughout his career, Scott worked as a psychologist in the Maryland State prison system, private practice, and in base hospitals in the United States Air Force. He was certified in clinical hypnosis, which he applied to pain management treatment for patients. In the USAF, he also worked in special operations and information warfare in a variety of leadership positions. Scott taught Psychological Operations and Influence at the Joint Military Intelligence College. He was stationed at Eglin AFB in FL, Hurlburt AFB in FL, Howard AFB in the Republic of Panama, Shaw AFB in SC, and Bolling AFB in Washington D.C.. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH in 2009. Following his retirement, he worked as a contractor at NASIC for approximately 10 years. Scott was loved and admired by those he worked alongside. 

Scott will be remembered for being a strong, kind, intuitive, thoughtful, and intelligent man of integrity and sharp-wit. He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Rita. Scott was also a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved animals, rescuing and raising numerous turtles over the years. He was very proud of his beloved dogs, Gig, Max, Ringo, Monk, and Oscar (his shadow). Scott enjoyed cooking (especially Italian dishes) and grilling, and was always finding new recipes to share with family and friends. 

Scott is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Rita; daughters, Diana Rodgers (Vasilios Anastasiadis) of Ontario, Canada and Suzanne (Tyrone) Buckner of Dayton; brother, Richard L. Rodgers of Baltimore, MD; grandchildren, Arianna, Jeremiah, and Peyton Lewis; as well as numerous extended relatives and many friends.

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his uncle, B. Scott Severns of New York City, NY; aunt, Barbara Houston of Denver, CO; and his beloved English Mastiff, Gig.

Per Scott's wishes, no funeral service will be held. A gathering will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider sending a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital by visiting the link below, or to the charity of your choice. 

To share a memory of Scott or leave a special message for his family, please visit the Guestbook below. We wish our dear Scott “fair winds and following seas”.