Longtime Whittier resident, educator, Harold Rogers, dies

An elderly man known for driving his Volkswagon[sic] Bug on the streets of Uptown and his catch phrase, “I’m alive. I’m doing great,” died this month at 99.

Harold Rogers was born on May 28, 1914, in Harriman, Ore., and moved as a child to Walla Walla, Washington.

Rogers moved to Whittier with his wife in 1943 and attended USC where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in teaching, friend and neighbor Denise Gonzalez said.

He played the trumpet for the Trojan Marching Band and performed at the Rose Bowl.

He and his wife never had children.

In the 1950s, Rogers became a school teacher for the East Whittier School District and taught at Valley View and Orchard Dale Elementary schools, Gonzalez said.

His class was the first class at Orchard Dale Elementary.

He later became vice principal at Mar Vista Elementary School and opened Ceres Elementary school where he was vice principal for 10 years, Gonzalez said.

He later transferred to Mulberry, Laurel and Oceanview elementary schools.

He was a man known for his friendly smile and optimism, valued his independence and ability to run his own errands until his late 90s.

“He was very independent until he became older,” Gonzalez said. “He continued to drive in his 90s and everyone knew him as the little old man in town.”

Rogers was longtime Whittier Daily News subscriber and often stopped by the newspaper’s office to pay his bill, always showing a positive attitude.

He frequently dined at Rick’s Drive In and Jack’s Restaurant and lived in an apartment with a roommate.

“He insisted on taking me out to breakfast because I would give him rides when he car broke down,” Gonzalez said. “The minute we walked in the door, everyone know him and would greet him.”

When Rogers was unable to drive in his late 90s, he still made it a mission to run his errands by foot.

“He was proud of his age and health,” Gonzalez said. “All he would take is a water pill and say he was perfectly fine.”

Rogers’ other siblings lived well into their 90s.

“He wanted to turn 100 years old, it’s a shame he didn’t make it, but he was close enough,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said Rogers and his roommate, Vanessa, were very close, and he always believed in her and supported her.

Rogers suffered a back injury before his death and used a wheelchair. His health began to decline along with his beloved independence.

“I think it got to him that he was stuck at home and to his bead,” Gonzalez said.

“The thought of him knowing there is a story about him in the newspaper would be a thrill for him,” she said.

Rogers’ memorial service is at 11 a.m. Dec. 10 at Whittier Church of God, 12302 E. Beverly Blvd., Whittier.