Bud and Susie Rogers embodied philanthropy in Akron.
As president and chief executive officer of the B.W. Rogers Co., Bud's hard work not only grew a family business but helped countless residents through the couple's charitable contributions.
In the late 1999, when the local United Way was in disrepair, Bud undertook a challenge no other local businessman would: He dedicated himself nearly full time to chairing the group's annual campaign. He served the United Way as board chairman, in addition to heading boards of the Summit County Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs and Sumner on Ridgewood.
Bud and Susie shared a common passion for the Akron Rotary Club. Their contributions ranged from the financial to the practical, including shrub trimming at the group's camp for children with special needs.
Susie was an emeritus member of the Board of Governors for Akron Golf Charities and past president of the Junior League of Akron, Cuyahoga Valley Association, Akron Garden Club and Western Reserve Academy/Pioneer Women.
The Red Cross gave the couple its H. Peter Burg Community Leadership Award in 2007, and both were past recipients of the United Way's Distinguished Service Award. The Greater Akron Chamber honored Bud with its Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2000, a fitting tribute not only to his business sense but to a common-sense principle: Treat others how you wish to be treated.