George Rodgers

April  3rd, 1938 July  14th, 2024
Louisville KY
George Rodgers

Please help us celebrate the life of our dear husband, father and grandfather George Rodgers

Obituary

An extraordinary man, who impacted innumerable lives on this planet, Dr. George C Rodgers Jr (“G”, “George”, “Dad”, “Grampa”) passed away on July 14th, 2024, in Louisville, KY, surrounded by his family. Although his rich and adventurous life ended, his legacy will live forever through his outstanding, innovative and prolific work. George was a loving husband, father and grandfather. Born on April 3rd, 1938 in Washington, DC to George and Margaret Rodgers, he and his younger brother Brad grew up in New Jersey, Mississippi, Davenport Iowa, and Louisville Kentucky.



Following receipt of a B.A. in chemistry from Dartmouth College in 1960, George received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in organic chemistry from Yale University. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Swiss Federal Institute and spent the following seven years working as a research chemist in the pharmaceutical industry.



In 1972, George attended medical school at the University of New York, Upstate Medical Center where he received his M.D. degree magna cum laude in 1975. He then joined the faculty after completing a residency in Pediatrics under Dr. Frank Oski.



In 1981, George moved to Louisville to join the University of Louisville School of Medicine faculty as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pharmacology/Toxicology and as Medical Director of the Kentucky Regional Poison Center. During his forty years at the University of Louisville, he has directed the Divisions of Pediatric Critical Care, Pediatric Hospital Medicine,, Pediatric Pharmacology/Toxicology and International Pediatrics., the latter three of which he founded.



In 2007, George was named the Humana Chair in International Pediatrics at the University of Louisville. In 2021 he retired from clinical pediatrics but continued to serve as Professor Emeritus at the university, and as Associate Medical Director for the Kentucky Regional Poison Center until the very end of his days. He was a former president of the American Association of Poison Control Centers and has served on over 75 national and international committees relating to pediatrics and toxicology.



George was an unparalleled role model as a gifted teacher, an outstanding and compassionate clinician, and a brilliant scientist. He mentored generations of medical students, residents, faculty members, nurses, and ancillary medical staff. He was an engaging and empowering leader who not only started numerous projects, but ensured their sustainability through his “teach the teacher” model. Everything he started turned into thriving enterprises.



As a global health leader/educator, he led teams of physicians, nurses, pediatric residents, ancillary medical staff, attorneys, business administrators and many others to work in limited resource countries in his quest to improve pediatric education, patient care, infrastructure, and access to care by the underserved. His international work of over 30 years expanded to five continents and nine countries, including Romania, Poland, Latvia, Moldova, Russia, Ecuador, Brazil, Ghana and Vietnam.



George’s work received numerous accolades, including, among others, Doctor Honoris Causa at the medical universities in Sibiu, Cluj Napoca, Timisoara, and Bucharest, Romania, Honorary Professor ​​of the School of Health Sciences Eugenio Espejo, Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial, Quito, Ecuador, Award of Excellence in International Humanitarian Service, Caritas Foundation, Louisville, KY, ACE Outstanding Volunteer Award for 2010 for decade of service to the Board of Inhalant Abuse Prevention program, Leonard Tow Gold Humanism in Medicine Award, and the Roger Fox Award, Kosair Charities “Dreams Take Flight”.



On a personal level, George was devoted to his family. He was extremely fun to be around, unassuming and non-judgmental, with a unique sense of humor and sarcasm, and always willing to try new adventures. He was a great lover of the outdoors and travel, both to experience new culture and to spend quality time with his family. He organized memorable adventures with his children and grandchildren, including sailing in Greece, scuba diving and snorkeling in the Caribbean and South Pacific, fishing in Alaska, safaris in Ghana and Tanzania, dog sledding in the frigid arctic circle of Sweden, sailing in the Galapagos islands, and visiting the beautiful country of Ecuador.



Despite his exotic travels, George’s favorite place remained his home in the woods of southern Indiana, where he relished in reading a good book in front of a roaring fire, cutting his own wood, tending to his garden, or enjoying a good glass of wine, good homemade food, and the company of his wife, Tania.



George was an avid advocate for many causes, including human rights, access to education and healthcare for the underserved, environmental protection and recovery, ending gun violence and gun-related deaths, and many others. He also served the justice system by testifying as a non-biased expert witness in trials related to medical toxicology; most notably, he was the key expert witness in the Alexander vs. Fluor trial, in which 17 children growing up in Herculaneum, MO, home to the largest lead smelter in North America were awarded $358 million for the devastating effects of lead toxicity on their health.



George is survived by his loving wife Tania Condurache, his children Jennie Rodgers, George Rodgers and Vlad Bursuc, grandchildren Gabe, Sophia and Nina Antonelli, Violet Rodgers and Sebastian Bursuc, as well as his brother Brad Rodgers, sister in law Martha Rodgers, their children Liz, Bradley, and Annie, and their grandchildren. He will be sorely missed by family, friends, colleagues, and the thousands of people worldwide whose lives he touched in so many ways.



In lieu of flowers, please make donations in George’s name to: alpha1.org; sierraclub.org; weareplannedparenthoodaction.org; momsdemandaction.org.

Gallery


Memory wall

Please share your Memories of George.


July 18, 2024
Professor Dr. George Rodgers was and will forever remain one of the most important personalities in my professional life.
He was an excellent coordinator. He was loved and respected by both the Romanian and American pediatric communities, that were bonded through a collaborative program, a program that I was proudly part of.
We will always keep him in our hearts. We will never forget him.

Rest in peace, dear George.
Cosette Ceaunica
July 17, 2024
Such wonderful tributes. Dr. Rodgers clearly led such a productive life and spread enormous compassion, humor, knowledge and good works. I met Dr. Rodgers only a few times, but have been friends with his wonderful son George since Miami University in the late ‘80s. I can say that his son inherited his gentle spirit, sharp intellect and keen, understated sense of humor. Peace to Dr. Rodger’s family and friends. Clearly a life well lived.
Robert Buscemi
July 17, 2024
He was a brilliant physician… and an even better person… always so interesting to talk to and so generous with his time… I have very fond memories of a medical trip to Perm Russia in 2009 with George, Tania and George’s brother Brad… love to his family
David Foley
July 17, 2024
George Rogers was a pillar of the medical community not just within Louisville, but internationally as well. Period. I got the privilege to study medicine under the mind of George Rogers and I am all the better for it. Overtime, through my friendship with Tania, his wife, I got to know George, very well. I was proud to call him my friend. He was hilarious and brilliant but above all very kind and gentle and loving to everyone around him. I can only hope to be half the man he was. George, you will be missed. I love you, my friend and will miss you.
Joshua Sparks
July 17, 2024
When I was 15, I was watching over triplets while their parents enjoyed a night out. One of the kids accidentally ingested a dangerous amount of medication and got sick. Frantically, I called poison control and a calm, gentle & caring older man walked me through the measures necessary to stabilize the child and get them help. That moment crystallized in my mind that I would spend my life taking care of children. Fast-forward about 15-20 years, and I had the distinct honor to have that very same gentleman teach me as a student/resident and offer me sage advice (and of course, more teaching) as a young attending on the wards.

I’ll never forget George telling me, “Our chosen profession is a serious one, but you must remember to never take yourself too seriously!”

I’ll miss him.

To George!
Wilson Reinke
July 17, 2024
Our Grandpa was truly one of a kind. He was a larger than life figure whose presence was felt no matter where he was. I cannot put into words how much of an influence he had on my life. He shared his love of nature and travel with us, which provided the opportunity for me to find my own sense of adventure and curiosity about the wider world. He taught me how to use a chainsaw, fell a tree, and build a roaring fire. I'll miss the deadpan way in which he tried to pass off utter fiction as truth, and his mischievous smile when he was called out. My whole life I have tried to make him proud and I will continue that endeavor by constantly learning, caring about others near and far, and making people's eyes roll at the most ridiculous jokes. Love you forever Grandpa.
Gabe Antonelli
July 17, 2024
I first met Dr Rodgers as a medical student and continued learning from him as a pediatric resident. I also had the privilege to work beside him as a pediatric hospitalist for close to a decade.

George was a wealth of knowledge and was always eager to help navigate the most complex patients. He was one of the most well read physicians I have ever met. He literally was a walking encyclopedia. When he and Tania hosted the JKF Christmas party a few years ago, we all got to see the years and years of journals, articles and books he meticulously kept in his basement, the likes of which could rival the collection of the old Norton medical pedway library.

George had a calming sense about him that was reassuring to me as a younger faculty member when whatever issue of the day presented itself. He frequently gave us glimpses of how medicine was practiced in the past, for which I am grateful. I can’t imagine the number of physicians in the local community and state of Kentucky today who were taught in some way by Dr Rodgers. It has to be in the thousands.

Dr Rodgers dedicated his life to making the lives of children better. What an honor it is to have practiced with him. I will miss knowing he is no longer just a phone call away. Greatest sympathies to Tania and his family.
Laura Voegele
July 17, 2024
Family is Forever
Dawn Marie Konow
July 17, 2024
Our most favorite memory with George was the day we all became family at Courtney and Vlad's wedding. George could not physically dance at the wedding celebration; however, I could see his heart dancing for joy for Vlad and how happy he was for both Courtney and Vlad. Family is forever.
Dawn Marie Konow
July 17, 2024
George held a secondary faculty appointment in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology for over 40 years. He was an active participant in department activities and we all enjoyed our interactions with him. He was an important lecturer in the medical pharmacology course for second year medical students. His passing is a huge loss and he will be very much missed by the faculty and me.
David Hein
July 17, 2024
Although I only met George Sr. a couple of times, I have a sense of who he was through my close friendship with his son George. One of the first things I remember about George was his skull mug, which he told me was from his dad’s work on poison control. I also recall hearing about his dad taking trip after trip around the world for Doctors Without Borders. And of course the many trips he took his family on, from Africa to the Galapagos. What a kind and giving man. I know he must have been a good father to have raised such a wonderful son, and he’s always made it a priority to spend time with his grandchildren. It’s been incredible to hear of all the adventures he went on, even in recent years well into his 80s. What a rich, full life he had! May he rest in peace. Sending love and sympathy to all his family. Xo Lissa
Lissa Hurchalla
July 17, 2024
I was blessed to work with Dr Rogers at the hospital. He was such a kind and caring person, always with a smile... He was a true blessing.
Terri Schultz
July 16, 2024
I met George as a resident at UL but really got to know him well in Ecuador during my International rotation. After that trip, and after I introduced Tania and George to my husband Ron, our friendship blossomed. We made sure to plan a dinner together every month! We fell off during COVID and just recently restarted our dinners together this year. I absolutely loved the complexity and sincerity of our conversations and friendship. He was such a calming soul. George will always bring a smile to my face. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Ilana Kayrouz
July 16, 2024
Dr. Rodgers was a consummate educator. He had a passion for education and treating children, in particular, those from underserved and limited resource areas. I had the privilege to travel with him and his team to Moldova and Ghana on teaching/lecture assignments. He will be sorely missed. May his soul rest in Perfect Peace with the Almighty
Alexander Asamoah
July 16, 2024
I worked for Dr. Rodgers at the Department of Pediatrics for over 18 years. He was a great boss and an even greater person. I was always amazed by his depth of knowledge, care for others and the world around him. The University and the world has lost a wonderful, caring, human being.

My thoughts and condolences go to his entire family,
Adrienne Michels
July 16, 2024
George was kind, thoughtful, playful, present, and never in a rush with his patients, residents, nurses, and friends. His smile was infectious. I remember his tea always in his hand. What an amazing man. I feel lucky to have know him.
Amy Wakeman
July 16, 2024
I worked with Dr. Rogers for so many years. He showed great respect to nurses and always valued our opinion. He always had a cup of hot tea during rounds. He took a great deal of time with each patient and made them feel special. He would sit next to the parents, or on the end of the bed and engage in personal details with every child.. I am so honored to have worked along side of him. He touched so many lives. Fly free my friend
Sandy Pennington
July 16, 2024
I first met George in July of 1996 on my first PICU rotation. He was the night time attending. As he walked out the door, he told me if I needed him, I better call him early as he lived 40 minutes away. I can finally laugh about this now.

I want to recognize George as a brilliant toxicologist. He was an encyclopedia, always able to cite esoteric articles and come up with potential dignoses for the patients he helped. I also treasure the memories from the trips he allowed me to participate on to Romania. George, you will be missed.
Mark McDonald
July 16, 2024
I met Dr Rogers first in 1999 when I was part of the international pediatric team to visit Romania. I was fortunate enough to go back with the team in 2000. His caring and compassion was outstanding. He always had a big smile on his face in which his sense of humor shown through. The difference he made in this third world country was amazing. I will alway remember this gentle man.
Pat McEachron
July 16, 2024
I met George when I was 13 years old, right after the Romanian Revolution on December 1989. It is in big part thanks to him that I came to study here at UofL. Without George, I would not be where I am today. He treated me as his kid, took care of me, invited me over to his house often, and guided me through my college years. I will always be grateful for his kindness and wisdom, and I will certainly miss him.
Andrei Trocan
July 16, 2024
Dr. Rodgers was an exemplary physician, teacher, leader, mentor, and friend. I consider myself lucky to have learned from him during residency and while on my global health elective in Ghana. We often worked together to raise awareness about climate change and to advance climate justice. I am forever grateful for his mentorship, and he will be deeply missed. My heart goes out to his family.
Libby Mims
July 16, 2024
My Dad taught me how to backpack, build a campfire, portage a canoe, chase a bear from your campground and chop firewood - things I've taught my own kids. We spent a lot of time in the woods of the Adirondacks near where we grew up, Canada, and around the northeast.
Jennie
July 16, 2024
Dr. Rodgers was a one-of-a-kind for sure. I recall meeting him way back in 1983 when I was green admin in the Pediatrics office. He was always just himself ... friendly and smiling. That itself is a pretty good legacy. My thoughts are with the family, especially Tania.
Ruby Keith
July 16, 2024
Grandpa - "You know, I once played croquet with the Queen of England"

10 year old Gabe - " No way! You swear?"

Grandpa - "Oh no, I never swear"
Gabe Antonelli
July 16, 2024
George was beloved and respected by our physician group, the Pediatric Residents, and Medical students. A phenomenal teacher to all and an honest, kind, and supportive mentor to me. I will miss the smile, wit, and wisdom of this great man and pillar of many communities.
Jeff Grill
July 15, 2024
Quote: “The fifth Beetle? His name was Smiley Gomez, right?”
Philip D Antonelli

Favorites


Favorite Ice Cream Flavor - Extreme Denali Moose Tracks!
What was George's favorite Sports Team?
Louisville Cardinals!
What was George's favorite way to exercise?
Chopping Wood
What cause was important to George?
International pediatric medicine; Alpha-1 Foundation, climate change, and justice
Favorite Grandkid (trick question!)
Gabe, Sophia, Neen, Violet and Sebastian
Favorite Footwear.
Sandals with socks

Service


In remembrance of the amazing and adventurous life of Dr. George Rodgers we warmly invite you to join our family in a celebration of his life.

Bring your fondest memories to share with family and friends.  
Location
The Olmsted
3701 Frankfort Avenue
Louisville, 40207
Date/time
July 17, 2024
5 - 8 pm

Donate

In honor of our beloved George, we invite you to contribute to a cause that was near and dear to their heart. Your generous donations will serve as a meaningful tribute, perpetuating the spirit of George by supporting meaningful causes.
Together, let us continue the legacy of compassion and kindness that George embodied throughout their life.

alpha1.org
sierraclub.org
weareplannedparenthoodaction.org
momsdemandaction.org
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