Richard "Chuck" Parker Rogers

On the morning of January 6, 2019, Richard Parker “Chuck” Rogers passed away at the age of 58 in Birmingham, AL. He was born in Russellville, KY and grew up in Louisville, KY where he attended Schaffner Elementary school and Suda E. Butler High School where he excelled scholastically. He went on to graduate from Samford University in Birmingham with a bachelors of science cum laude in biology and mathematics also earning a masters degree in biology. After completing two years of medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he transferred to the UAB Rollins School of Public Health where he earned another masters degree in epidemiology and completed all of the coursework required for a doctorate in public health.

Chuck worked as a graduate teaching assistant and adjunct professor at Samford University, a cytogenetic technician at UAB Medical Genetics Laboratory, and a periodicals paraprofessional at Samford Library. For most of his professional life, Chuck worked for the Alabama Department of Public Health. He served as the HIV Seroprevalence Research Coordinator and the HIV Prevention Coordinator for Jefferson County and Epidemiological Consultant for the Alabama Department of Public Health and was eventually promoted to the Director of HIV Surveillance for the entire state.

Chuck was raised in the 18th Street Baptist Church in Louisville where he was a vital member of the church family. He was a faithful member of the Baptist Church of the Covenant in Birmingham where he served as a deacon, a trustee, a Sunday School teacher, a member of the choir, and the handbell choir. Chuck was an avid bibliophile and accrued a vast collection of Southern literature. 

Chuck is survived by his parents, Richard and Arlene Rogers, and his brother Lee John Rogers. He is preceded in death by his grandparents Coy and Lois Rogers, Golden and Flora Parker.

A memorial service for Chuck will be held January 19, 2019 at Mt Carmel United Methodist Church, 2372 Mt. Carmel Rd., Columbia, KY 42728. The service will begin at 2:00 pm. 

Grissom-Martin Funeral Home is assisting with local arrangements