Remembering a community champion

Reid Health and the communities of East Central Indiana lost a great friend with the passing of Dave Rodgers earlier this year.

Rodgers was a community champion who worked tirelessly to improve the local quality of life. He supported numerous organizations through his servant leadership and philanthropy, often giving quietly and anonymously.

Over his more than 50 years as the owner and operator of the Richmond-based radio network Whitewater Broadcasting, Rodgers made time to volunteer and serve on numerous charitable boards, including the Nature Conservancy, Wayne County Foundation, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Hayes Arboretum, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County.

He also was a friend of Cope Environmental Center, Earlham College, Reid Health, and the City of Richmond's Parks & Recreation Department.

Along with his other charitable contributions, Rodgers championed community development projects aimed at helping East Central Indiana grow and prosper, such as the building of Reid's new campus in Connersville.

In honor of Rodgers' contributions to the Connersville project, the green roof over the facility's main entrance will be named the Rodgers Roof when the campus opens early next year.

"In addition to his philanthropy, Dave served as a mentor to many nonprofit leaders throughout the community. He was always available for a listening ear, sound advice, new ideas, an encouraging smile and -- when needed -- a gentle push in the right direction. Dave's passing leaves a significant void in our hearts and community, but his legacy will live on through the organizations he supported, the lives he impacted, and the friends who were fortunate to know him." -- Jason Troutwine, Reid Health Vice President/Reid Foundation President