(2000) - This fund was created by his daughter, Marta Rodgers Merchant, and friends in honor of Judge Rodgers' 80th birthday. The purpose of the fund is to support literacy projects in Washington County.

Judge Rodgers, of McMurray, was born November 20, 1920, in Houston; a son of Frank and Mary Cortese Rodgers.
He graduated from Canonsburg High School as valedictorian when he was 15. Judge Rodgers graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1941, then attended Harvard Law School.

His studies were interrupted during World War II, when he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1946. Judge Rodgers was promoted to lieutenant before being released from active duty.

He then attended University of Pittsburgh Law School, graduating in 1948.

During his career, Judge Rodgers was solicitor for various Washington County municipalities, school districts and authorities and also served Greater Canonsburg Industrial Development Corp.

He was active in the Washington County, state and American bar associations, serving as president of the Washington County Bar Association in 1976. He also served as president of Canonsburg-Houston Kiwanis Club, was chairman of Peters Township Government Study Commission and served as president of Canonsburg-Houston Chamber of Commerce.

Judge Rodgers was a former elder and deacon of Church of the Covenant in Washington and was former head of the church trustees.

He was appointed to Commonwealth Court as a senior judge in July 1993 and was active with the court until his death.

He previously was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County in 1978 and was elected to the bench in 1979.

In 1999, Judge Rodgers was honored by the Washington County Bar Association for 50 years of service.

Click here for a list of the grants awarded from this fund.