Frank J. Rog

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Rog, Frank J. Age 83, of Roseville, passed away on September 24, 2014, of complications related to Parkinson's disease. Preceded in death by son, Frank Jr. (Skip); brother, John; sisters, Gladys, Frances, Florence, and Genevieve; and parents, Mike and Anna. Frank was Recreation Director for the City of Roseville from 1960-1987, during which time he created a world-class park system whose crown jewel is the beautiful and much-loved Roseville Central Park. Frank's vision and energy as Recreation Director helped shape the City of Roseville and added to the quality of life for the people of Roseville then and now. He was instrumental in the development of the Roseville Skating Center as well as a robust youth recreation program and expansive trail system. He also served as Mayor of Roseville from 1987-1991. Frank was talented at sports from a young age, was a star athlete at Edison High School and played for the Minnesota Gopher football team in 1953 & 1954. Among the many commendations and awards bestowed on him over the years, Frank was named Minneapolis City Conference Most Valuable Player in 1948 & 1949, Suburban Sun Ramsey County Man of the Year in 1962, and Minnesota Jaycees' Outstanding Young Man of Minnesota in 1965. He was inducted into the Edison High School Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Roseville Area Youth Hockey Association Hall of Fame in 2012. Frank was also honored with the Edison High School Distinguished Alumni Award in June 2014. Frank's 2002 book, Let Me Be Frank, tells of his adventurous childhood growing up near the Mississippi River in Northeast Minneapolis in the '30s & '40s. Frank was a kind soul, reliable friend, born athlete, adventure lover, rule-bender, beloved boss, mischievous pal, real-life hero, fisherman, woodcarver, rock polisher, storyteller, singer of charming serenades, excellent father, wise grandpa, and tender, loving husband. He will be deeply missed by the many people he has known and loved, none more than his wife of 60 years, Janet Rog. Survived by his wife Janet and their three children, Chris Rog (Dawn), Rhinelander, WI; Liz Rog (Daniel), Decorah, IA; and Margaret Rog (Ben), St. Louis Park; and six grandchildren: Sophie, Madee, Ida, Danica, Sam, and Emma; as well as beloved nieces and nephews and their families. Private funeral service and inter-ment. CELEBRATION OF LIFE for all who knew and loved Frank, Sunday, October 19, 1:30-4:30 pm - program will begin promptly at 2:30 pm. Roseville Skating Center, 2661 Civic Center Dr., Roseville. Memorials preferred to the Edison Community & Sports Foundation, P.O. Box 68032, Minneapolis, MN 55418, in memory of Frank Rog.

Published on September 29, 2014