Emsley Woodruff Rogers

Emsley Woodruff Rogers, 85, of Dufur and formerly of La Grande, died March 30 at his home. A memorial service was held April 3 at the Dufur Christian Church. Spencer, Libby and Powell Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Emsley was born Dec. 22, 1924, to Roy Chesley Rogers and Edith Genevra (Woodruff) Rogers in Hermiston, the youngest of four children.

Emsley married Frances Lorraine Shultz Aug. 5, 1950, in Warrenton. They lived briefly in Hermiston before returning to Corvallis for Emsley to complete his education at Oregon State University. Upon his graduation in 1951 they returned to Hermiston, where Emsley began his career working in the agricultural sciences field.

He lived in La Grande from 1975 through 1983 and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service. In La Grande, he was a member of First Christian Church where he was an elder.

Emsley retired in 1983 after serving his country in WWII and working for 27 years with the USDA as a soil conservationist. His love for soil conservation took him and his family to Tunisia, Africa, early in his career, and he was proud of his service there. Those who knew Emsley will remember him as a public servant who worked tirelessly in the areas of soil stewardship, land management, windbreaks and weed control. He was best known for his commitment to Christ and his desire for the gospel message to be heard around the world.

Emsley would yodel or speak in French and Arabic at the drop of a hat for anyone who would listen. When he was away from his family he would always say "the first six weeks were the hardest" despite his having only been gone a few days.

Emsley is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Frances; children, Alan and his wife, Cheryl; David and his wife, Sabrina; Sandra and her husband, Douglas; Laura and her husband, James; 12 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister and two brothers.

Memorial contributions may be made to Global Outreach International/Uganda in care of the Dufur Christian Church

.