David Matson Rogers

David Matson Rogers was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a gifted vocalist and music teacher who lived a life marked by service, faith, and love. Born in Syracuse, New York on August 8, 1930, he entered the Church Triumphant on March 19, 2025, after a short illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Delos Rogers and Helen Matson; his beloved wife of 55 years, Carolyn Rogers; and his sister, Enid Newton. David was an extraordinarily active 94-year-old. He cherished time with his daughter Kate and her family in Sacramento, California, and enjoyed adventures in Tombstone, Sonoita, and local parks around Sierra Vista, Arizona, with his daughter Debi. Even in his final weeks, he often reflected on his fulfilling life—his joyful marriage, his lifelong career as a music educator, and the countless road trips, camping adventures, and boating excursions he so dearly loved. At 18, David enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years aboard the USS Worcester in the Pacific. After his military service, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Syracuse University, followed by a Master’s in Music Education from Oswego State University eight years later. For 37 years, he taught elementary music in Syracuse, spending the majority of those years at McKinley-Brighton Elementary School. In his later years of teaching, he became a traveling music teacher, delighting students at multiple schools while transporting his many instruments and tools in his beloved Dodge Dart station wagon. In 1966, David married Carolyn, and adopted Michael, Kate, and Debi. He introduced his family to the great outdoors—roller skating, swimming, camping, hiking in the Adirondacks, ice skating, and tobogganing. Little River, North Carolina, and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina became favorite vacation spots, eventually becoming their winter retreat. In wintertime back in Syracuse, David even built an ice-skating rink in the backyard for the family. He led his family on two cross-country road trips, including a memorable visit to Disneyland, and another across Canada that featured a snowmobile ride on a glacier in Calgary. Even after the children were grown, he and Carolyn continued to explore lakes and trails throughout central and upstate New York. A true do-it-yourselfer, David could tackle anything—from plumbing and electrical work to car repairs and gardening. His frugality, shaped by growing up during the Great Depression and World War II, meant that nothing went to waste. He grew an abundant vegetable garden every year and generously shared its bounty with neighbors, friends, and family. David served faithfully for decades on the Building and Grounds Committee at Pitcher Hill Community Church. After his retirement from teaching, he cheerfully patrolled the building and grounds almost daily, making sure all was well, fixing whatever needed repair. But after his family and church, music was his greatest passion. He possessed a beautiful tenor voice and sang with the Syracuse Music Men as well as in his church choir. He supported his wife’s administrative assistant and guidance counselor positions in the North Syracuse school district wholeheartedly, and encouraged his children’s participation in school musicals and regional choirs—never missing a performance. A gifted listener and thoughtful conversationalist, David loved hearing about his children's and grandchildren's lives, dreams, and accomplishments. He and Carolyn traveled often to visit their family across the country—and even to Germany when Debi was stationed there. He took great pride in his 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren and passed on his love of music to all of them. In October 2015, he and Carolyn joyfully celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and their church community. David is survived by his son, Michael Rogers; daughter, Deborah Godwin (Matthew A. McHale); daughter, Kate Messina (Lester Wielstein); and his ten grandchildren: Derek and Scott Rogers; Daniel Godwin (Morgan); Michaela Adams; Adam McHale; Katie Rosa; Patrick McHale; Christopher McHale (Jennifer); Carly Wielstein (Nikhil); and Chelsea Kopke(Eric); along with 14 great-grandchildren. The family extends heartfelt thanks to his church family for their many cards and calls, and to the compassionate staff at Canyon Vista Medical Center, Haven Health, and Valor Hospice, in Sierra Vista, Arizona for their excellent care during his final months. A joint memorial service for David and Carolyn will be held on June 3, 2025, at 2 PM at Pitcher Hill Community Church in North Syracuse, New York. A private interment will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery in Albany, New York. The dash between David’s birth and death represents a life of love, devotion, and purpose. He will be deeply missed—but always remembered for the music, joy, and warmth he brought to all who knew him. “I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.” — Psalm 89:1 Rest in peace in the arms of your Lord, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Tributes

David Matson Rogers

August 8, 1930 - March 19, 2025