Rodger Charles Dorsey

His time with us… Rodger Charles Dorsey, son of George N. Dorsey, Jr. and Elender Louise Dorsey, was born on May 25, 1950 in Baltimore, Maryland. On Friday, April 27th, 2018, after a courageous battle with liver cancer; Rodger was released from the boundaries of this earthly place and into the omnipresent hands of God. He was 67 years of age. Rodger, a devout Catholic throughout his life attended in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC due to redeployment orders of his father who was in the Navy. In 1989 Rodger embraced St. Gregory the Great as his church home. He considered Fr. Damien his priest and friend. When on travel it was inevitable that Fr. Damien and Rodger would discuss the day’s activities during a pinochle game. As partners they took delight in trouncing the opponent! Rodger attended public schools in Patuxent River, Baltimore, Maryland. Norfolk, Va. and Washington, DC where he graduated and received his Diploma from Ballou Sr. High School. Rodger is an alumnus of Bowie State University and the University of Baltimore and possesses degrees in English, Education, and Human Resources Development. Rodger believed attending different schools taught him to heartily embrace the people he encountered from all walks of life. He made friends who were like family. Rodger married Danise Jones on August 15, 1980. On this day Rodger became Joseph Harris, Jr. teacher, mentor and friend. God blessed them with a son, Robert George Dorsey on March 3, 1983. During the last two weeks of Rodger’s life, Robert was a gentle, devoted caregiver and advocate for his dad. Rodger enjoyed being husband, father, and grandfather. He was committed to provide and protect his family. Always the teacher,he delighted in providing new experiences for all around him to grow and learn. Rodger was devoted to the care and support of his parent Louise and George and his Aunt Catherine. He loved his cousins,nieces,nephews and friends. On the day he passed before he dismissed us from his room. He asked, “Are you OK? We replied, “We are OK.” Rodger enjoyed traveling. Rodger literally visited five of the seven continents, North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. He relished sharing his stories of his travels through pictures. Rodger loves music of all genres. He loves the ladies, Nancy Wilson,Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Aretha Franklin, Phyllis Hyman, and Keiko Matsui. He was thrilled to see her in concert and to take a picture with her. Rodger has 39 years of experience in several human resources specialties,which include Recruitment/Talent Acquisition, Onboarding, Classification & Compensation, Employee Relations, Human Resources Development, Benefits Administration, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action, and Labor Relations. He has been with the Maryland Stadium Authority since May 2010. Rodger’s background includes 15 years in personnel management working for engineering companies in the Washington DC and Columbia MD areas before joining the State of Maryland in 1997. His public service background includes human resources management at five other Maryland agencies — University of Maryland, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Transportation, the Maryland Judiciary, and the City of Baltimore Civil Service Commission. Honors:2001 – Outstanding Service Award, University of Maryland Baltimore County 2006 —Appreciation Award for Administrative Excellence, Maryland Department of Natural Resources Certification: Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Life Certification granted by the Human Resources Certification Institute. Although in the last five months Rodger was beset with an illness he was unable to conquer, he focused not on himself, but used his remaining strength to fight his liver cancer. We can surely commit ourselves to the belief and assurance that our Rodger is walking hand-in-hand with his guardian angel being led not to a happy ending, but to a well-deserved glorious beginning. Rodger leaves to “celebrate his life,” his wife of thirty seven years “Danise,” parents, Chief Petty Officer U. S. Navy (Ret.) George N. and Elender L. Dorsey, his brother, Carroll T. Dorsey (Dianah): his sons, Joseph Harris, Jr. (Chizu); Robert George Dorsey, granddaughter Kamara Isis Dorsey, grandson, Aaron Tomoya Harris, and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and nieces and nephews. Rodger was preceded in death by his brothers, George N. Dorsey III, Eric Anthony Dorsey, and sister Bonita Ann Dorsey-Randolph.

Tributes

Rodger Charles Dorsey

May 25, 1950 - April 27, 2018