I first met Ron in Lexington, Kentucky, at an alumni chapter wine tasting event near his home. He and his wife Betsy, along with Mark Skirvin, alumni director at the time, planned an Indiana Day program for his small but mighty crew of IU fans deep in blue country. The great pianist Bob Williams and I performed a few Hoagy tunes and had a lovely time getting to know the outstanding alumni in that area. Thus began a long friendship with Ron and Betsy Rogers. Over the years when they travelled to Bloomington, the pair would bring a picnic lunch for any staff available to join us on the patio. I was privileged to attend at least one of those great lunches full of laughs and very little business. Ron was eventually elected to the Executive Council and served until his term ended in 2020. Last summer, Ron sent me a note saying they would be in town and would love to bring lunch for everyone in a socially distanced picnic (pre-vaccine times). I was not able to meet him that day, and I wish I had.

He and Betsy were looking forward to spending their retirement in Indianapolis when a heart condition suddenly cut his life short on March 1, 2021. Through their shock and grief, his brother Scott put together a slideshow of beautiful photos of Ron over the years set to fun and touching music. Watch the slideshow.

What I wouldn’t give for one more picnic.