Date of death: 4/8/2017
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1953
Father Daniel J. Rogers, 90, a priest for the Archdiocese of Dubuque known for his work as a teacher, writer and spiritual director, died April 8.He donated his body to science.Father Rogers was born on Feb. 8, 1927, in Calumet City, Illinois, the son of Charles and Agnes (Ambrose) Rogers. He graduated from Loras College with a bachelorÆs degree in English in 1949. As a senior, he was selected for membership in Delta Epsilon Sigma, the national Catholic honor society. He then entered St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana. He was ordained on May 16, 1953, at the Chapel of Christ the King on the Loras College campus by Archbishop Leo Binz.Father RogersÆ first assignment as a priest was as assistant pastor at St. PatrickParish in Cedar Rapids where he served from 1953-56. He then returned to Loras College to join the faculty there while he continued his studies in English at the University of Wisconsin. In 1964, Father Rogers earned a doctorate in English.In 1976, the priest was promoted to full professor of English. He was later named chairman of the Loras English Department (1977-80). Over the years, he was assigned to be chaplain for Loras and Clarke Colleges. In 1972, when he was still an associate professor at Loras, three of his poems were published in the Delta Epsilon Sigma Bulletin, the national publication of the Catholic honor society. One of his longer poems was selected that same year by the Spiritual Life Institute for reprinting in the 10th anniversary issue of the publication Desert Call. The issue featured the best writing that had appeared there in the last decade.For one year (1985-86), Father Rogers became an associate staff member of Colette Renewal Center in Dubuque and New Melleray Guest House in Peosta. During the course of his priesthood, he directed many retreats around the archdiocese. In 1986-87, he served as pastor of St. Paul Parish in Worthington. He later served as chaplain for the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Mt. Loretta Convent in Dubuque from 1988 until his retirement in 1994.