Ben Rogers

“What more can a man ask than to be honored by his wife and children as I was on my seventy-fifth birthday when they provided seventy-five scholarships at Lamar University in my name? Although I never had the privilege of attending college, I have been involved in supporting education and especially in helping young people who come from Economically disadvantaged families to continue school. I was very pleased and excited when I learned that my family had established the "I Have A Dream" Program  in my honor. The mentors who provided additional support and encouragement to finish high school are the backbone of this excellent program. I am thankful for my family’s efforts and for your involvement, and I pledge to do all I can to make the program a success” ~Ben Rogers

A life-long goal of Ben Rogers was to do his part to make the world a more beautiful place in which to live, and he accomplished it by simply being here.

Born in Chicago, Ben was the eldest son of six children, raised by an immigrant mother who was widowed in her twenties. The foundation of his philanthropy was laid at an early age when a stranger bought shoes for a ten year old Ben, who often went barefoot while selling and delivering newspapers in order to save his one pair of shoes for school. Those early experiences helped mold his intense desire to help people achieve human dignity and a sense of purpose in their lives. Ben considered his marriage to Julie his greatest accomplishment. They met as teenagers when her family moved across the street in Chicago. Married more than half a century, his love for her and their family is legendary. Despite all the honors that have been bestowed upon Ben, he was most proud of Julie and their children and grandchildren – daughter Regina; son Dr. Arvey Rogers and his wife Susan and their children Scott and Pamela, Stacey and Rob and Shana; and son, the late Dr. Bernard Rogers.

Even before the blessings of financial success, Ben and Julie became a force in Beaumont and beyond. They provided personal and financial support for innumerable schools, churches, cultural institutions and healthcare facilities. Ben Rogers never had an opportunity to attend college, but he always tried to encourage and help others in their pursuit of a higher education. How appropriate it was for his wife, Julie and their children to establish the Ben Rogers/Lamar University/BISD “I Have A Dream” program as a surprise gift in honor of his 75th birthday with their contribution of 75 $2,000 scholarships to Lamar University. The Rogers family had a dream to help children in the Beaumont community realize their full potential despite social, economic or personal barriers. They knew that with enough love, attention and motivation, all children could realize their dreams.

A faithful friend, devoted husband, understanding and loving father, and a gentle man, Ben Rogers will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know him. No truer words could be spoken about him than the following, “The best part of a person’s life is not fame, wealth or ability…the best part of a good     .erson’s life is the little acts of kindness and love given to others.”