Robert J. Rogowicz Jr.

1971 - 1990

Times Union Obituary - June 6, 1990

Robert J. Rogowicz Jr., 18; scholar, athlete

TROY -- Robert J. Rogowicz Jr., 18, a scholar and athlete during high school in Colonie, died Tuesday of a head injury at Albany Memorial Hospital. He was taken to the hospital by friends shortly after he fell off a skateboard in Colonie Saturday night.

Born in Schenectady, he lived on Space Boulevard in the village of Colonie most of his life, moving to Lillian Lane in Troy last year.

A 1989 graduate of Colonie Central High School, Rogowicz had just completed his freshman year at California State University at Long Beach, where he studied business administration and theater and joined the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.

At Colonie Central, he was a member of the National Honor Society and the Outstanding High School Students of America. He played baseball for the school's varsity team with the Colonie American Legion league.

He also served on the Student Senate and was sports editor for the Rougetor, the school yearbook, a member of the ski club and a vocalist and rhythm guitarist with two Colonie rock bands, Assault and Attica.

Rogowicz worked as a summer park counselor for the village of Colonie Parks and Recreation Department, teaching sports and crafts to younger children.

"Bobby had a great talent as a baseball player. He had everything to live for," said Herbert B. Kuhn, the village mayor and a family friend.

At Colonie Central, school administrators went to individual classes to deliver the news. About 100 students requested and were allowed to leave school for the day, said Building Principal Ted Gilkey.

Gilkey described Rogowicz as "a real involved kid with a positive, infectious attitude" whose greatest attribute was "a unique ability to get along with all kids."

Teachers, administrators, school psychologists and a social worker helped students deal with their grief, Gilkey said, adding that school officials plan a formal remembrance of Rogowicz today.

Survivors include his mother, Margaret "Peg" Mercier Rogowicz of Troy; his father, Robert J. Rogowicz Sr. of Colonie; a sister, Laura Strang of Troy; his maternal grandmother, Verna Mercier of Troy; and his paternal grandmother, Anne Rogowicz of Schenectady.

Services will be at 8:15 a.m. Thursday in the Reilly and Son Funeral Home, 1200 Central Avenue, Colonie, and at 9 a.m. in the Church of St. Clare, 1947 Central Avenue, Colonie. Burial will be in Memory's Garden, Colonie.

Calling hours will be 4 - 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to the Robert J. Rogowicz Jr. Memorial Fund, care of South Colonie Memorial Funds, 102 Loralee Drive, Colonie, 12205.