It is with the heaviest of hearts to announce the passing of "one of a kind" Mr. Bernard "Bernie" Edward Rodgers, of Toledo, Washington, who went to heaven at the age of 84 on Sept. 3, 2022, after a battle with leukemia. Born in the backwoods of Pennsylvania in 1938, he graduated from high school in 1955, where he moved to California earning his bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from California State University of Long Beach. He continued his education attending several universities that opened many doors and accomplishments to come. It wasn’t long until Bernie advanced to prestigious principal where he touched the lives of many. In 1981, he received an exciting offer in the beautiful state of Washington where he accepted an opportunity at Adna middle and high school. Being an avid outdoorsman, Bernie fell in love with the landscape and small-town community. Adna is where he contributed much of his life’s work and he swiftly became the district superintendent.
Bernie thoroughly enjoyed his career and the life-long friends he met along the way. If Bernie was not working, or volunteering at Fire District 6 in Lewis County, or in Chehalis, Washington as a firefighter, he was catching fish. After marrying the love of his life and retiring, he settled in the small city of Toledo, Washington where Bernie could enjoy his one, true passion in life: fishing on the river.
He is survived by his sweetheart of 36 years Terry Lee Rodgers, his beloved son and daughter Scott Rodgers and Deborah Slajer, his stepdaughter Nicole Frazier seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, his older sister Bernardine, and younger brother Bill.
Bernie was incredibly loved, respected, and admired by all who knew him. He will be missed profoundly.
The Rodgers family would like to express their gratitude for the help received by his caring nurses, doctors and hospice (Assured Home Health of Centralia).
flIn lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Adna Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 93, Adna, Washington, 98522, or email adnascholarsh ipfoundationpres@gmail.com.
A church service for family and friends will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2022 at the Christian Fellowship of Winlock, 630 Cemetery Road, Winlock, Washington, 98596.
To view the obituary, please go to chronline.com/obituaries.
