August 21, 1941 – August 28, 2026

James C Rogers, an educator, avid skier, and lifelong adventurer, passed away on August 28th, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. He leaves behind a unique legacy shaped by his intellect and love for the outdoors. Born in Alaska in 1941, Jim carried the rugged, independent spirit of his home state throughout his life.
He is survived by his long-term partner, Betty Heian; his daughters, Felice and Reva; and Betty’s daughters, Ellen and Laura.
Jim earned his Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and went on to a long career as a university professor, mentoring generations of engineering students. A true polar explorer at heart, his engineering career even took him to the ends of the earth to conduct research in both Antarctica and the Arctic—proof that he would literally go to the edge of the world just to find cold weather and a good excuse to wear heavy gear.
Beyond academia, his true love was skiing. A dedicated skier for most of his life, Jim spent over 30 years as a ski instructor, sharing his technical knowledge and passion for the slopes with countless skiers.
Jim will be remembered most for his relentless pursuit of adventure and his famously terrible sense of humor, which he shared generously with anyone within earshot.
In his memory, we ask that you take a lap down the mountain or share a bad joke with a friend.