Richard W. Rodgerson

life story

Loving Grandfather, Father and Husband

"This world of dew

is a world of dew,

and yet, and yet."

Kobayashi Issa

About Richard

Richard Wagner Rodgerson passed away peacefully on January 7th, 2026, at the age of 78. In his final moments he was accompanied by his wife and one of his daughters. He will be deeply missed by his wife Gloria Martinez-Arizala; children Emma Rodgerson, Dan Rodgerson and Nicole Rodgerson; brother George Rodgerson (Joy); nieces Fiona and Gwen Rodgerson; grandchildren Silas Cueli, Natalia Rodgerson, Angelo Cueli, Kaylee Cueli, Lisa Cueli and Max Rodgerson. He is also survived by his faithful dog, Luci.

Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and a loyal friend. He was a lifelong learner, and had a deep appreciation for music, art, books, and the beauty of the natural world. He was the type of person who seemed to have a hard, even grumpy exterior, but who animals and young children were unexpectedly drawn to, because at his core he was a gentle and sentimental man. Those who knew him will miss the way he met life’s problems with an easygoing nature; how he listened deeply and gave sound advice, always reminding you to be grateful and keep things in perspective; and how quickly his wit and humor could change the tone of your day.

He was born on July 28th, 1947, in Madison, Wisconsin to Edna Behr, a train stewardess, and Donald Rodgerson, a sailor in the Navy. While he was still a baby, they moved to a neighborhood in Minneapolis near Lake Harriet. He and his younger brother George found solace from their home life in the sparkling creek and wooded area by their house. He inherited a love of music from his mother, admittedly bullied his brother, but to his credit never allowed anyone else to do the same, and fiercely loved his first dog, Lady. He was smart, rebellious, and gifted athletically, playing both varsity football and wrestling. After high school he enlisted in the Navy and served at a submarine base in Rota, Spain during the Vietnam War.

Richard was a free spirit and he enjoyed his youth to the fullest. He embraced both adventure and trouble, and made many wild memories with his brother as a young man. He was a nonconformist who lived his life his own way. Eventually he started to settle down: he was a salesman and then a stockbroker, he bought a home, was married three times and divorced twice. He cared for his beloved dogs Shaundy, played hockey with a team of close friends and coached a children’s team at St Anthony Park..

In his early 40s he left the corporate world to pursue his passion for Evolutionary Biology at the University of Minnesota. Richard would never stop being fascinated by evolution and human behavior; his studies and his intellectual endeavors were a big part of who he was. He adored chimpanzees and deeply admired Jane Goodall and all efforts to preserve and protect the world’s ecosystems and animals. Richard received his PhD in Kinesiology and taught child development at the UofM until his retirement in 2016.

His life changed forever when he met his wife Gloria and her three children in 1996. She was also studying for her PhD at the U, and he fell in love with her beauty and intelligence. They married and he adopted Nicole and Danny when they were 11 and 12 years old. Shortly after, they welcomed their daughter Emma. Family life softened him, he loved and deeply cherished the gift of being a father, and then a grandfather when Max was born. He did not have an example to follow, and he did make mistakes, but he learned to give the best of himself. Words cannot express all that he did and all that he meant to each person in his family.

Richard could often be found on summer nights enjoying a cigar and whiskey on the deck with his dog Negrita, and on winter ones doing the same but all bundled up in the garage listening to his tapes and CDs. Music was something that was always very important to him and that he shared with his loved ones.

After retiring, Richard spent almost all of his afternoons with his granddaughter Natalia, visiting coffee shops, libraries, and playgrounds. He took up nature photography and found immense joy in capturing the beauty in the parks around his home in Shoreview. His photographs are a beautiful reminder of the person he was.

After a few years of increasing memory issues, Richard was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2020. His disease took so much but he changed with grace and gave his family endless laughs. He got to know his other grandchildren, and formed a special bond with Kaylee who often read aloud to him. He was cared for at home by his loving wife and daughter Nicole until it was no longer possible and he moved in October 2025 to a memory care facility in Merida, Mexico where his daughter Emma lives. He ultimately passed from complications due to a UTI.

Richard’s warm smile, his hugs, his charisma, his humour, his wealth of knowledge, his compassion and understanding, his open ears and heart will all be remembered and missed by his family and friends.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

February 15, 2026

Roseville Cedarholm Golf Course 2323 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113, USA

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Amaité Memorial Park | Casa Funeraria en Mérida