Rogers Loses Battle with Skin Cancer at 57

Richard P. Rogers ’67, a senior lecturer in Harvard’s Visual and Environmental Studies (VES) department and the director of the University’s Film Study Center, died on July 14 after a battle with skin cancer. He was 57.

In addition to overseeing the center, which sponsors long-range documentary projects, Rogers taught introductory video courses. Former students said that Rogers often interacted closely with them in these typically seminar-sized classes.

Former colleagues noted that he was able to draw prominent filmmakers to the film center and worked hard to get students interested and engaged in the work of non-fiction filmmaking.

Senior VES Lecturer Robert Gardner who founded the film center remembered Rogers as a gifted teacher who persuaded students to pursue careers in film and brought them to the center.

Agnes M. Chu ’02, who works at the film center, credited Rogers with sustaining an interest in film that she brought with her to Harvard.

“I was interested [as an incoming student], but my first class was with Dick,” Chu said. “He’s what kept me going.”

Chu remembered Rogers as a teacher with a critical eye, dedicated to his students’ projects.

“He was someone who put you to the challenge—he was there to engage you and criticize in the academic and formal setting, but out of class give you all the support you needed,” Chu said.

Rogers continued to teach through his illness this spring despite protestations by his students and co-workers.

“He didn’t have to be there, but he wanted to,” said Kyle A. Gilman ’02, a student in this spring’s introductory studio course.

In addition to his teaching, and organization at the center, Rogers was a distinguished filmmaker in his own right.

Rogers worked independently, and his works have debuted at the New York Film Festival and on PBS.

Rogers’ works include, Moving Pictures, a documentary on Polish animator Jan Lenica, Elephants, a look at his own personal family history and Siena, Chronicles of a Medieval Commune.

But, Chu said Rogers was not the type to brag.

“He was very accomplished, but was generally reluctant to show us his work,” Chu said. “He was very invested in the student work.”

Rogers came to Harvard from the State University of New York, Purchase, where he was chair of the film department.

Rogers had earned two degrees from Harvard—a bachelor’s degree in 1967, and a master’s degree from the Graduate School of Education—and also studied at the Royal College of Art in London, and the Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies in Birmingham, England.

Rogers is survived by his wife and collaborator Susan Meiselas.