David Allen John Rogers, age 40 of Stockton, Kansas, passed away on July
31, 2020 from a tragic, small craft mid-air collision in Soldotna,
Alaska. He was born on January 10, 1980, in Denver, Colorado. He was
raised by his mother Renee (Hollingsworth) Rogers and husband Nick. On
February 14, 2002, he was united in marriage to his high school
sweetheart, Rhonda Hebert in Golden, Colorado. They were blessed with
three children, Madison, Ben, and Troy.
David grew up in Denver and graduated from Bear Creek High School
with the Class of 1998. After graduation David immediately entered the
workforce. For several years he did various jobs in pipefitting,
carpentry, hardwood flooring, installing windows with Uncle Brent, and
washing semis with Grandpa Lloyd. He liked traveling with Grandma Ruby
and Grandpa Lloyd, and developed a deep passion for the outdoors,
especially hunting, camping, and fishing. He made up his mind early on,
that somehow, someway, he was going to be a professional wilderness
guide.
That dream became a reality when David moved his family to Stockton.
During the Summer months, he spent his days leading adventures on the
Alaskan frontier, and would then return home to do the same in Rooks
County, and surrounding areas, the rest of the year, through his own
hunting guide business, “Beyond The Bend.” He chose that name because
true to his adventurous spirit, he always knew there was something
amazing, wonderful, and surprising just waiting for him and his fearless
compadres, over, around, or beyond the next bend of whatever river,
road, or trail they were traveling.
David had a sense of humor that was all his own. His infectious
smile and use of clever sayings, known as “Davisms,” like “you get what
you go get” could always put friends, family, and strangers at ease,
even if there was a little tension in the air between folks. It didn’t
matter who you were, when you heard him say, “We came here to kick ass
and chew bubble gum! And we’re all out of bubble gum!” well, all you
could do was laugh, shake your head in agreement, and get on with
gettin’ along.
Unapologetic for being himself, he didn’t embarrass easily, if at
all. If his clothes didn’t match, so what? If he had a tough day in the
fields and came home with half a shirt and most of his sock material
missing, who cares? And if he was driving, swerving on the road, looking
for deer, turkeys, or sheds, you’d best just stay out of his way, or
hold on for dear life if you were riding with him. Although his mom
always told him to be, “Less like a rocket ship and more like a
balloon,” having that Rogers’ stubborn streak, and one-track mind, he
didn’t always heed that advice real close.
With all of his million-dollar ideas, like seasoned shotgun shells,
David had his own unique flair in the culinary department as well. First
of all, butter is not just an occasional condiment, it is a food group
unto itself that goes on everything. Second, the best treat while
traveling the frozen tundra of Alaska, is a PBJ Smoothie, nothing else
will do. And finally, all we really know about the Coffee Bomb, is that
you take unspecified portions of coffee, hot chocolate, and heavy
whipping cream, then add a ridiculous amount of butter with a dash of
cinnamon, and then, well, there you have it. Probably called the Bomb
because it would simply take out the average coffee drinker. It is
definitely not for lightweights. Which would explain the huge amount of
adrenaline, buzz, and excitement, as he loudly and proudly proclaim at
the beginning of each hunting excursion, “Let’s go get our asses
kicked!”
Never one to shy away from saying, “I love you,” David was a devoted
family man, husband, and father. He was an early morning guy, so, when
he got up, it was time for everyone to be up. Although, at times, family
came dragging out of bed, they knew the day was always going to be full
of fun and good times. A devoted TikTok-er, well, really an obsessed
addict, he spent hours sharing clips and videos with his kids, laughing
and carrying on, in their own little world of sheer joy and hilarity.
And, if he started to take off his socks, look out, because somebody was
getting hit!
An avid sports fan, especially when his kids were playing, David was
the quintessential sideline coach for every kid, no matter the sport.
Always encouraging them, he strived to help them be their best at
everything, and often reminded them, “If you can’t see yourself making
it, you won’t.” Supplied with popcorn, water, and Snickers bars at every
game, he made sure that winning was a joyous yet humble celebration,
and losing was just another step forward with a lesson on how to do
better next time.
Left to mourn David’s untimely passing are his wife, Rhonda of the
home in Stockton; his children, Madison of Topeka, and Ben and Troy
Rogers of Stockton; mother Renee Rogers of Hays, KS; father Nick Rogers
of Littleton, CO; sister, Hollie Aukland and husband Craig of Littleton,
CO; brothers, Ty Rogers of Brooklyn, NY, and Christopher Rogers of
Huntsville, TX; grandparents, Bill and Sharon Rogers of Lakewood, CO;
parents-in-law, Joe and Sue Hebert of Denver, CO; sisters and
brothers-in-law, Lynn and Dave Montoya of Buena Vista, CO and Melissa
and Adam Fearn of Lakewood, CO; nieces and nephews, Payton and Braylon
Aukland, Ayden and Avery Fearn, and Cheyenne, Colton, and Tucker
Montoya; and many aunts, uncles, and friends.
Preceding David in death are his grandparents Lloyd and Ruby Hollingsworth; Mike Graham; and Michelle Hollingsworth.
The Word of God instructs us, “Ask the animals, and they will teach
you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the
earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of all these does not know what the hand of the Lord has done? In
his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
David was a man of deep and growing faith. Although he did not realize
it when he began, the more time he spent in the whole of God’s creation,
day by day, closer and closer, the Lord was gently drawing him to
Himself. Drawing him into a deeper understanding of life and love, and
what it means to be a man, not just within his own heart and soul, but
in the hearts and souls of his family, friends, neighbors, and God. In
the final moments of his life, we do not know exactly what happened, but
one thing is certain, as David flew over the beautiful landscape of the
Alaskan heartland, just above the breaking clouds, we hope he felt, in
that moment, as if he could reach out and touch the very face of God.
Then suddenly, in the twinkling of an eye, he did.
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