Richard "Rick" Warren Rogers passed away 03/16/2026 at his home of over 31 years in Delta, Colorado. He was 75 years old.

There will be a private family service later this summer in the high country that he loved.

Rick was born June 21, 1950 in Glenwood Springs, CO to Phyllis Gene (Stanton) and Garland Wayne Rogers. His childhood was in the Grand Vallley (now Parachute), Rifle, Piceance Creek areas. He attended grade school at the Little Rock School House on Piceance Creek. The family moved from Piceance Creek to Grand Valley when Rick was in Jr High School. Rick graduated from Grand Vallley High School in 1968.

Rick attended Colorado School of Mines in Golden, CO the fall semester of 1968. He left school to work and save to pay tuition. This quest took him to Alaska where he worked for several months. When he returned home, he found the US Military was interested in his service. He enlisted in the US Army on August 9, 1969.

Upon completion of boot camp and some additional training, Rick was encouraged to apply to Officers Candidate School in Ft. Belvoir, VA. He was accepted. Upon successful competion of training on July 9, 1970 he was commissioned 2nd Lt and was assigned 1323 Eng Constr Unit Commander of the 52nd Eng Btn at Fort Carson, CO. He gained the rank of 1st Lt on July 9, 1971.

While stationed at Fort Carson, he met Cheryl Ann Mitchell. They were married June 20, 1971. They raised a family and shared a life for over 54 years.

After Rick separated from military service in August 1973, he carved his career path as a Heavy Equipment/Diesel Mechanic. Major employment was with Climax Molybdenum Mining, Leadville, CO, Flint Engineering, Rangely, CO, Eagle County, Eagle, CO and City of Delta, Delta, CO. Rick remained in the Delta area after his retirement. He and Cheryl have lived in Delta for the last 31 years.

While Rick took pride in a job well done and was a dedicated and loyal employee, his main purpose and joy in life was raising his children. If he had not been convinced that his children deserved to eat regularly, live indoors, and be educated, he would have been quite happy - fishing in streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes: hunting for grouse, rabbits, antelope, deer and elk; or camping with no other purpose than to listen to the crickets, to hear the coyotes howl, or to watch the stars twinkle - with his children all the time.

Rick is survived by his wife, Cheryl, Delta, daughter Christine (Jason Beatty) Parker, CO, son Richard (Jennifer) Thornton, daughter Teresa (Ricardo Apodaca) Eckert, CO, daughter Virginia (Kelly Johnson) Cortez, CO and daughter Debra (Tobie Fodge) Anchorage, AK and his 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Russell and sister Peggy Caudillo both of Almogorda, NM, his three sisters-in-law and brother-in-law all of Montrose, CO and numerous nieces and nephews,

Rick was preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, his father, his mother, and brothers Robert, Roy, and Timothy, one infant niece and one nephew, his mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, his family would be honored by any contribution in his name to any children centered charity. From the local 4-H club or scout troop to a national organization that works to prevent childhood diseases or abuse or endangerment.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Taylor Funeral Service and Crematory.