ObituaryRobert Rogers
Robert J. 'Bob' Rogers, pianist and Professor Emeritus of music, died May 14. He never
missed a note when it came to being a volunteer, philanthropist, educator, mentor
and fixture in the Denton community. Rogers first arrived at North Texas in 1939 on
a double bass scholarship and studied piano, but he was drafted into the U.S. Army
three years later. After graduating from the Juilliard School of Music and Columbia
Teachers College, he returned to campus in 1948 to teach piano pedagogy and remained
until 1984, serving as assistant dean in the College of Music from 1969 to 1975. He
served as chair of a committee charged with remodeling the Music Building and as a
charter member, province governor and chapter advisor for the music fraternity Phi
Mu Alpha Sinfonia. In 1990, the fraternity named the Robert J. Rogers Lifetime Service
Award in his honor.Roger's legacy of service and volunteerism at UNT continued long
after he left his teaching post. He was the pianist at countless fundraisers and campus
events, and he and his wife, Daisy, were known for tirelessly volunteering at the
UNT Music Library and supporting students through scholarships. In 2012, he was honored
with UNT’s Outstanding Alumni Service Award, he shared that UNT also brought out the
best in him. Memorials may be made to the Robert J. Rogers Piano Scholarship in the
College of Music. Donate at giving.unt.edu.