August 19, 2004

OBITUARIES

Isabella Christine Speck-Almanzar
Isabella Christine Speck-Almanzar, the infant daughter of Keri Speck and Chino Almanzar of Yellow Springs, died on Friday, Aug. 13.

She is survived by her loving parents; sister, Zoe Gifford; brother, Trinidad Speck-Almanzar; grandparents, Christine Speck and her partner, Craig Belser, Ron Speck and Angi Speck and Jose and Maria Almanzar of the Dominican Republic; uncles, Brandon and Ryan Speck of Dayton; and many other family and friends.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Aug. 21, at 3 p.m., in John Bryan State Park, off State Route 370, in the lower level picnic area.

Robert Rodgers
Robert Ryerson Rodgers, Ph.D., a former resident of Yellow Springs, died at his home in Montclair, N.J., on July 29, after a short illness. He was 78.

He was born in Springfield in 1925. He attended two years of high school in Yellow Springs before graduating from Mercersburg Academy in Mercersburg, Penn. He served in the U.S. Army 100th Division of the 399th Infantry from 1944 to 1946. He saw combat in France and was awarded two Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart. He earned a master’s in psychology and a Ph.D. in human development from the University of Chicago.

He was a research associate at Cornell University’s College of Human Ecology before joining Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., in 1973. He moved to the college’s Buffalo learning center in 1977, where he taught until he retired as a full professor in 2000. He was a dedicated antiwar activist, and member of local environmental organizations.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, three sons, their spouses and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held in Buffalo on Oct. 10. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Western NY Peace Center, 2123 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, N.Y., 14211.