Gilbert Rodgers April 9, 1930 - February 19, 2014

Gil Rodgers, a long time resident of Glendale, passed away at the age of 83 in his home after a courageous battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife Beverley, his daughter Kim Westhoff (Chris) and grandchildren Jennifer and Christine Westhoff, and his son Guy Rodgers and grandchildren Taylor, Casey, and Cody of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by his sister Gloria Phillips of Glendale, her son Steve Phillips and grandchildren Garret and Cassidy Phillips, and younger sister Mary Petersen of Montana along with her children, Kathy Schaeffers, David Petersen, and Andie Moore.

Gil was a first generation Californian, his father being from Northern Spain and his mother from Guatemala. He was bilingual from birth and enjoyed his many trips to Spain, Guatemala, and Argentina to visit his relatives in those countries.

After graduating from Dorsey High School in Los Angeles Gil joined the Navy. He was stationed in Washington State and later spent a year in the Marshall Islands on Kwajalein Atoll.

In 1953 Gil returned to Los Angeles and began his working career. But first he changed his name from Rodriguez to Rodgers to avoid the discrimination so common at that time. Although he was a salesman at heart he started out working as a pressman at the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. Later he became the proprietor of Gil’s Bike Store on Glenoaks Blvd and finally owner of Pfeiffer’s Toy Shop, the largest toy store in Glendale, which he sold in 1986.

In retirement, Gil enjoyed golfing at Oakmont Country Club, traveling, cooking, eating and weekly visits to the local casinos. He was active in a number of organizations in Glendale such as Boy and Girl Scouts, Sertoma, and served on the Los Angeles Grand Jury. He was especially proud of the year he lead the Glendale Yankees to victory in T- Ball. We will sorely miss his kindness, generosity, loyalty, and lively sense of humor.

¡Vaya con Diós, Gilberto!

In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to City of Hope, Attn: Annual Giving, 1055 Wilshire Blvd., #1200, Los Angeles CA, 90017. Or a donation may be made in his honor to a deserving Hispanic student from Glendale Community College for further education. The Gilbert Rodgers Scholarship will be administered by California Retired Teachers Glendale-Foothill Division II, Attn: Jan Burke, 3962 Los Feliz Blvd. #12, Los Angeles. CA 90027.

Mass will be held at the Church of the Incarnation 1001 N. Brand Blvd on Friday, February 28 at 11:00 with a celebration of life following at Oakmont Country Club.