The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company is saddened to announce that fire company member Richard Wayne Rogers, Sr., has passed away.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company wishes to offer its condolences and deepest gratitude to the families and loved ones of Wayne Rogers.  We wish to offer the Rogers’ Family and extended families our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Wayne joined the fire company in May 1964 and served as Vice President and Second Assistant Chief during his tenure with the volunteer fire company.

Additional information regarding the viewing and services can be viewed at:

·         https://www.watsonfh.com/obituaries/Richard-Rogers-43/#!/Obituary 

Obituary for Richard Wayne Rogers

Richard Wayne Rogers, Sr., 76, of Long Neck, stepped into the presence of his Savior on October 28, 2023. Wayne's passing marks the end of an era along the banks of the Indian River near Warwick, De. Mastering the River in a small wooden rowboat at an early age, he developed an intimate knowledge of its currents and tides and its response to weather patterns and lunar cycles. This served him well throughout his life on the water, fishing, crabbing, hunting, and water skiing. It seemed appropriate that a full Hunter's moon kept its vigil over the River he loved and the broken hearts of his family and a multitude of friends on the night of his Homegoing. Respected and well-loved, Wayne would spend hours on the family property at the Screenhouse at Downs Landing, where a steady stream of friends would drop by to visit. Laughter traveled lightly across the water as he regaled them with stories, told in his quiet, easy way with his dry humor and quick wit.

Wayne was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving abroad from 1966-1970 on the USS Moale as a marine mechanic. He kept a promise to himself that if he ever got back to Sussex County he would never leave again. He was a third-generation custom builder and a self-taught draftsman. He took over the family business from his father and then started his own successful company, Richard Wayne Rogers and Son Construction in 1975.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, John T. and Mabel Downs Rogers; a sister, Barbara Ann Rogers; a brother, Johnny Rogers; and his beloved wife of 46 years, Gail E. Baker Rogers. He is survived by his son, Richard Wayne Rogers, Jr. and his girlfriend, Sara Wingate, his daughter, Wendy Rogers and her son, Jaxon; a sister, Linda Rogers Miller and her husband, Wayne; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Watson Funeral Home & Crematorium, 211 S. Washington St., Millsboro, DE 19966, where the viewing begins at 10:00 AM.

Interment with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro, DE 19966.

A reception will be held at the Indian River Volunteer Fire Company in Oak Orchard on Friday, November 3^rd after the Interment services.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations in Wayne’s memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.