Robert Merton Rodgers Jr., 85, of Bellefonte, PA, passed away on December 4th, 2020, from COVID-19. He was known as "Bud" to his extended family and as "Bob" to everyone else.

Bob was born on July 8, 1935 in Wakefield, Massachusetts to Robert M. Rodgers Sr. and Gertrude Wardwell Rodgers. He is preceded in death by his father, Robert M. Rodgers Sr.; an infant daughter, Susan Rodgers; infant granddaughter, Kayleigh Dowlin; his wife, Betty Lee Rodgers; a stepson, Gerald Sherman of Kenner, LA; and two siblings, James K. Rodgers of Knoxville, TN, and Marilyn Steele of Boalsburg, PA.

He is survived by his Mother, Gertrude of Boalsburg, PA; his sister, Linda Rhine, of Howard, PA; his step-children, Rebecca Taylor (Darren), Marjorie Dowlin, and Jennifer Kelly (Rob), of State College, PA; David Sherman of Centre Hall; and three grandchildren, Jared Dowlin, Clover Kelly, and Julia Kelly of State College PA.

Bob was a lover of tall tales spoken loudly in his New England accent and peppered with curse words. He was as sailor in the Merchant Marines, and served in the Air Force, traveling abroad extensively during his life, most notably to South America and Antarctica.

After returning to Centre County in his mid-forties he worked as a chef at the Autoport Motel and Restaurant where met his future wife, Betty Lee, who worked there as a waitress. They were together for over thirty years when Betty Lee died December 4th, 2010, exactly ten years to the day before he died. He was also a chef at the Nittany Lion Inn, and a truck delivery driver for Penn State University. Along with his wife, he founded and self-printed an independent newspaper called the Universal Light Messenger for several years from his house in Spring Mills, PA. He was also a driver serving the Amish community in Centre County.

He was constantly on the move, busy and industrious until exhausted at the end of the day. He built a cabin, an addition onto a house, and numerous workshops and sheds. He loved raising animals of all kinds, but  most adored was his dog Bo, who died in 1993. He loved gardening both vegetables and flowers, every year adding more flowers to the yard for his wife, Betty. He was a real character, generous to a fault, and always helpful when anyone needed anything.

Due to the pandemic, there will be no funeral services at this time.