Peter Nicholas Rogers

Peter Nicholas Rogers of Destin, Florida (Retired USAF Full Colonel) succumbed to cancer and died December 12, 2024. He was born in 1942 to Howard and Erdna Rogers, the second of five children that were raised in Weston, Massachusetts. He attended Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island and then spent four years at Hobart College in New York. During his time at Hobart he made a decision that would have a major impact on much of his life: he joined the Air Force ROTC. After three years at Boston College Law School, Peter’s military career began. Over his 25 years of service he was involved in all aspects of Air Force legal procedures: judge, prosecutor, defence attorney and instructor. Peter was stationed in five states as well as England and Germany. It is likely that his penchant for travel stemmed from this. When he retired from the Air Force, Peter did not slow down. In fact, quite the opposite. He served as a hearing officer for the Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (now TDI/DWC). Thereafter, he opened a private law practice representing injured workers. Finally, he worked with functional restoration clinics to help return injured workers to productive lives and provided the legal representation required to reach that goal. Peter was also the founder of DFW Paralegal Academy where he provided instruction to attorneys and office staff who work in workers’ compensation legal offices.

Along the way Peter met and married the love of his life, Diane. They had 50 years of fun, family, friends and many adventures together around the world. Besides finding ways to continue working hard, Peter had many interests. He was an avid tennis player and often played several times a week as did his wife, Diane. Later in life he picked up golf which he didn’t take too seriously. Peter also was an advanced bridge player and part of a book club. He loved riding bikes and stopping for lunch with his friends. He could be seen along the streets of Destin on his street strider or down at the beach or out to dinner with his many friends. Peter and Diane did some serious travelling around the world. Ironically, their recent trip to Yellowstone, right next door so to speak, seemed to impress them as much as anything else.

“I’ve got your back” would be an apt way to describe Peter's thoughts about family and friends. Many have been on the receiving end of his generosity. He would go to considerable lengths to help someone in need. Peter was much loved by his family and friends and will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife Diane of Destin, FL; daughter Amy Fisher (Scott), Denver, CO; granddaughters Jordan and Ashley, Denver, CO; sister Anne Rogers, Malden, MA; sister Mary Helmreich (Eric), Encinitas, CA; Mark Rogers (Sally), Newton, MA; Lucinda Rogers, Lovell, ME.

Peter will be interred at Barrancas National Cemetery February 21, 2025, 2:30 pm in Pensacola, Florida. All are welcome, please wear bright colors.
There will be a reception on February 22, 2025, 11:00 am at Indian Bayou Golf Club in Destin, Florida. All are welcome, please wear bright colors.