Bobby Delano Rogers, Jr.

  It is with great sadness that the family of Bobby Delano Rogers, Jr. (know to some as  Del/down to later friends as Bob),announces his passing at age 63 on Friday, January 22, 2021, following heart surgery. Even though a failing heart took him away from this world, his loving heart has left a beam of light for all his family and friends.

He was a 1975 graduate of Grissom High School and lived most of his life in Huntsville. He left to serve six years in the United States Navy, part of that time aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F Kennedy. This experience allowed him to travel the world. Always the life of the party, Del never hesitated to seek out fun and adventure in every port he visited. As we all know, Del  loved life, and it loved him back.

Following his naval service, he attended the University of Alabama where he earned a BA in World History. An avid sports fan, Del loved his Crimson Tide football team and the Boston Celtics. He spent countless hours cheering for his teams and simply enjoying the games.

Del (Bob) was retired from many years with Direct TV and AT&T.

Del will be missed and lovingly remembered by his mother, Hope Rogers Kinch; his sister Susan Rogers; his brother-in-law COL (R) Daniel Neuffer; his niece, Rebecca Neuffer, as well as numerous other family members and friends.

Del was  predeceased by his father, Bobby Delano Rogers, Sr.; his brother, Steven Rogers; his stepfather, COL(R) Robert Kinch; and his grandparents, Tom and Neola Ellis.

Del will be remembered for his ever-present smile and the warmth, depth and intelligence behind it. His fun loving personality was contagious to everyone he met. He was a true friend-ready and willing at a moment’s notice to head out on an adventure or just a visit. Those of us lucky enough to be his family and friends will recall the sheer pleasure of his company, how good he made us feel, how free we were to be ourselves around him, and how much we will miss him. Del loved his family and friends for who they were, without reservation or judgment.

Del wrote his own rules, he fought authority, and he paved his own way. He definitely marched to the beat of a different drummer, living a 100 years in the 63 calendar years we had him because he lived a full life, filled with joy and love, and an uncontainable “Joie de vivre“, that exuberant enjoyment of life.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “Many people walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.“

A celebration of Del‘s life will be held Saturday, January 30, 2021 at 3:00 PM at Berryhill Funeral Home, 2305 North Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, 35810, (256) 536–9197. Please come dressed as Del would want you to be, comfortable and in tune with his unique sense of style.

The family will receive visitors from 3:00 PM until 3:30 PM. The celebration service will begin at 3:30 PM. Due to Covid, there will be spaced seating and the wearing of masks is required. In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, the family will not receive guests at their home following the service.