Loving Husband and Father, Safe in the Arms of Jesus, Henry "Hank" R. Rodgers Sr., 89, of Rockford passed away on August 18, 2017 in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family. Henry was born on August 20, 1927 in Chicago, son of William and Harriette (Stramann) Rodgers. Attended Moos Elementary, graduate of Lane Tech in Chicago and attended Northwestern University. Served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, receiving the WWII Victory Medal. Henry worked as a cook and bartender at the Medinah Country Club, where he met the love of his life and future wife, Kathleen "Kay" L. Pohlman; they were married on February 19, 1955. His pride and joy was the large family that he and Kay had together and he enjoyed telling everyone he met that he was the father of 9 children.
Henry was a Police Officer for the Elgin Police Department before he moved his growing family to Rockford. There, he worked for 31 years at Northern American Rockwell (Goss) as a Journeyman Machinist. To provide, he would end his shift, get a few hours of sleep, and head to his second job as a Security Guard at Saint Anthony where he worked for 18 years. Henry loved to meet new people from any background, and made fast friends with his wondrous stories. He was an avid gamer, being the first in the neighborhood with a home computer (a Tandy 1000). Always a forward thinker, he enjoyed keeping up with his family and friends through AOL, MySpace, and Facebook. He usually had the newest video games and consoles, even before his grandchildren did (but would constantly trade with them, RPG's being his favorites). He was a fan of older Western films, but was a bigger fan of Science Fiction films and TV. He liked to take photos and make home movies, collected stamps, and was a master at crossword puzzles. Enjoyed fishing and camping and was a nature lover who fed all creatures great and small. The birds, squirrels, raccoons and feral cats all knew where he lived. Lifelong loyal Chicago Bears and Cubs fan. When his boys were young, he served as the Scout Master for Troop 413 at PA Peterson Grade School, and was an Eagle Scout in his youth. Served as an Usher at Saint Peters Cathedral.
Survived and missed by children, Michael (Deneen) Rodgers, of Granite City, William (Elisabeth "Lisa") Rodgers of Caledonia, Kenneth (Kim Larson) Rodgers of Rockton, Tammy (Bruce) Hautamaki of Rockford, Kellyn (Dr. Bruce) Denton of Mt. Morris, Paddi (Arthur) Contreras of Rockford, Henry "Stormy" (Luanne) Rodgers Jr. of Rockford, Sean (Ashley) Rodgers of Loves Park, Ryan (Sara) Rodgers of Rockton; daughter-in-law Heidi (Larry) Smallwood of Georgia;
Grandchildren; Jessica (Jesse) Parker, Heather (Clay) Slover, Tarryn Wolford; Erik Rodgers, Sara E. Rodgers; Krystle (Kris Carlile) Rodgers, Jennifer (Ryan) Kinslow, Cody Larson; Logan Hautamaki, Brennan (Mo) Hautamaki, Fred (Mandii Moore) Hautamaki; Rachel (Chad Stenberg) Denton, Kelsey (David) Cheatwood, Alexis (Dan Coutts) Denton, Ashley Denton; Lupe, Rosey, Arthur (Lori) Contreras Jr.; Justin (Nicole Langel) Rodgers, Nicholas Dickman, Morgan (Sabrol Cox) Rodgers, Danielle (Aaron Roth) Rodgers, John Henry Rodgers; Nolan Rodgers, Kalen Rodgers, Beckett Rodgers; Sterling Lilly, Hattie Rodgers; special granddaughter-in-law, Marisa Renstrom;
Great-Grandchildren; Eowyn, River, Charlotte, Ella, Kayden, Hanna, Andrew, Clayton, Callum, Lena, Zenneth, Stryder, Landyn, Olivia, Adaleigh, Norah, Caitlyn, Brock, Alex, Emily, Rella, Joshua, Jaxon; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and cat, Baby. Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kathleen; his parents; brothers, 2nd Lt. William J. Rodgers (KIA WWII), Reuben Rodgers; grandson Jon Harley, daughter-in-law, Trudy (Rodgers) Tyler; great-great granddaughter, Luna; and favorite cat, Rocky. Special thanks to his caregiver, Felician Williams for her loving care and dedication.
Celebration of Life on Sunday, October 8th, with visitation 11:30-1pm, with service immediately following at Midway Village Community Church, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford IL 61107. In lieu of flowers, memorials to; VetsRoll.org c/o Finnegans' RV 1777 Gardner St., South Beloit, IL 61080.