Skip to main content

PATIENCE GRIFFIN ROGGE
September 11, 1936 - May 23, 2015

We are profoundly sad to announce the loss of Patience Griffin Rogge, beloved wife of David M. Rogge, on May 23, 2015 in Seattle, WA, after a sudden illness. Born September 11, 1936 in Bradford, Pennsylvania to Constance Ward Griffin and Albert A. Griffin; Patience’s love of travel and learning took her around the world and into the lives of many.

After graduating from Bradford High School in 1954 and attending Pennsylvania State University, from 1954-1957, she married David M. Rogge in Staten Island, NY on August 31, 1957.  She held a BA in American Government (1962) and a Master of Library Science (1963) from the University of California Berkeley.

A career librarian, Patience was a pillar of civic activism in the many different communities she lived in throughout her life; from Richmond, CA to Dhahran, Saudi Arabia to Port Townsend, WA; a model of democratic ideals with an unbending will to promote the arts, education and government accountability. Her passion for volunteering brought her wide and varied experiences, in nature education, agricultural land preservation efforts, arts administration, and local politics as a dedicated and active member of the Democratic Party in California and in Washington State.

A Port Townsend, WA resident since 1993, Patience joined the Washington Coalition for Open Government (WCOG) Board of Directors in 2005. She chaired the WCOG Events Committee, organizing scores of  Public Records and Open Public Meetings Laws Forums in various cities across Washington, and was instrumental in planning the organization’s awards events, conferences  and Sunshine Week activities.

During her 11 years as a trustee of the Jefferson County Rural Library District, Patience was active in the Washington Library Association (WLA), serving as board member and chair of the Washington Library Friends and Trustees Association (WLFTA) and Grassroots! interest groups.

Patience single-handedly built the Fort Worden Oral History Program. She most recently chaired the board of the Friends of Fort Worden and the Jefferson County Higher Education Committee and also  served on the Fort Worden Advisory Committee.

Much enthused by journalism, she contributed to many different local newsletter publications in California and Washington and her “Profiles” column was previously a regular feature in the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Newsletter.

Her unflagging civic engagement garnered recognition and awards : WLFTA Trustee Award 2001; WLA Honorary Life Membership 2005; Friends of Fort Worden Volunteer of the Year 2009; Jefferson County Historical Society Merit Award, 2010; WCOG James Andersen Award 2011.

Patience is survived by her husband of 58 years, her daughter Rachel Rogge and her partner Andrew Recher, her daughter Michelle Rogge and her husband Jean-Louis Thauvin, her grandchildren Penelope and Finley Rogge Thauvin, by her sisters Prudence Davis Beck and Alanna Geist Mason Griffin, as well as by numerous and beloved cousins, nieces, nephews (both in the US and in France), and by her cherished cat Geraldine. 

“I have always been a woman who arranges things
For the pleasure and the profit it derives
I have always been a woman who arranges things
Like furniture and daffodils and lives” --
from “Hello Dolly”

 

 

 

 

A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the causes dear to Patience:

          Friends of Fort Worden
          Washington Coalition for Open Government
          
Jefferson County Library


Comments

Fort Worden is saddened by the loss of our dear friend, Patience Rogge.
Please join us in a celebration of her life on Friday, June 5, 2015 between 3:30p – 5:30p, at Fort Worden Commons Company A.
AT 4:30p there will time for folks to say a few words about Patience.

--Jill A. DeCianne - Fort Worden PDA


I was so upset to hear of Patience's passing, how very sad..... I enjoyed having her "guide" us in so many activities at Fort Worden, and I especially loved working with Patience in the Oral History program. I enjoyed talking to people who had spent time at The Fort over so many years - so interesting, and hearing their stories was wonderful - all thanks to Patience for putting it all together......

You will be missed..... --Wendy Los


There aren't any words I can find to express how I feel about this. I have thought about Patience every day since this news and I remember her humor, intelligence and genuine caring for others. She will be missed by so many people.

--Lisbeth Dambrowski


Patience was a patient warrior. I never saw her go into anything halfway. When she took on a cause or a project or a committee or a board, a force was set in motion that would not be dissuaded. She did her work on fronts both large and small. She did the research, organized the meeting and set the agenda; she also brought the cookies and made sure the coffee was hot. Over the years, Patience got things done, perhaps never as quickly as she would have liked, but they always moved towards resolution. She deserves a huge portion of the credit for recent successes for higher education in Jefferson County. At the same time, the causes Patience took on were never the easy ones, the ones that would be "fixed" so everyone could move on. Instead they were the ones that required constant vigilance and attention, and still do today, in her sudden absence.

--Scott Wilson


Patience was a patient warrior. I never saw her go into anything halfway. When she took on a cause or a project or a committee or a board, a force was set in motion that would not be dissuaded. She did her work on fronts both large and small. She did the research, organized the meeting and set the agenda; she also brought the cookies and made sure the coffee was hot. Over the years, Patience got things done, perhaps never as quickly as she would have liked, but they always moved towards resolution. She deserves a huge portion of the credit for recent successes for higher education in Jefferson County. At the same time, the causes Patience took on were never the easy ones, the ones that would be "fixed" so everyone could move on. Instead they were the ones that required constant vigilance and attention, and still do today, in her sudden absence.

-Scott Wilson


It is with deep sadness that I am experiencing the loss of my good friend, Patience. Each day I remember another moment where we interacted in a project in the community, with family, or just had fun. Fort Worden would not be offering the variety of opportunities for the community if it were not for Patience and her unique qualities. Her intellect, her logical mind, tenacity and humor will long be with all of us who knew her.

-Phyllis Solomon


The Washington State library community is saddened by the sudden loss of Patience. Patience served on the board of the Jefferson County Library for eleven years. During her tenure she helped us recruit and retain high quality board members, supported staff development and continuing education, and helped us foster deeper relationships with community organizations throughout Jefferson County. She was also active at the state level. Her tireless work helped improve library boards, Friends groups and advocacy efforts across the state. Patience was an inspiring leader and she fought hard for what she believed in. On behalf of our entire staff and board we extend our sincere sympathy to the Rogge family.

--Meredith Wagner


What a shock to pull up Patience Rogge's obituary. I went to school with her in Bradford, PA. Will miss not being able to contact her anymore. Condolences to her family. --Sandra A. Rich McCord


Make a donation to The Co-op Funeral Home of People's Memorial