Dr. Leo A. Rogers, D.D.S., 91, died Aug. 11, 2006, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born Oct. 30, 1914, on a farm near Castleton, Reno County, the son of William and Betty Pinkston Rogers. Educated in a rural elementary school he graduated from Castleton High School in 1932. He attended Hutchinson Junior College, class of 1934 and Kansas State College before entering Kansas City Western Dental College where he received his degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1938.

He practiced general dentistry in the Wiley Building in Hutchinson for four years before being called into the Army Dental Corps, where he was later assigned as Senior Dental Surgeon to the 106th Mechanized Cavalry Reconnaissance Group. He crossed the English Channel to Omaha Beach on D-Day plus 14. He served with distinction, receiving the Purple Heart, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm. Discharged with the rank of Captain, he reentered the University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Dentistry for graduate degree in Orthodontics, he was a member of the first class in Orthodontics. He joined Dr. Homer B. Robison in the exclusive practice of Orthodontics in Hutchinson, where he practiced until his retirement in 1991. During his career he established offices in Hays and Dodge City, flying his staff to and from these offices each week. He was a certified Orthodontic preceptor and trained several outstanding Orthodontists in the three year Preceptorship program affiliated with the American Association of Orthodontists.

He belonged to Grace Episcopal Church where he served as Senior Warden of the Vestry, trustee of St. John's Military School, trustee of the Alumni Association of the School of Dentistry at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He served as president of Hutchinson Dental Study Club, Central District Dental Society, Kansas Orthodontic Society, Southwestern Society of Orthodontists, Denver Summer Meeting for the Advancement of Orthodontic Practice and Research. He was a Fellow of the Academy International of Dentistry, European Orthodontic Society, member of Pierre Fauchard Academy.

He was a 50-year member of Rotary International, Paul Harris Fellow, staff member of the Hutchinson Hospital, Hutchinson Chamber of Commerce. He endowed the Dr. Leo A. Rogers chair in Orthodontic and Dento Facial Orthopedics at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, School of Dentistry in 1998. He was a founding member of the Flarsheim Society; Life member of American Legion Post No. 0068 and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He was honored by the Alumni Association School of Dentistry in 1979 as Dentistry Man of the Year, in 1985 he was named Orthodontic Alumni of the Year, he received honorary distinguished awards for the Advancement of Orthodontic Practice and Research, the Southwestern Society of Orthodontists and in 2002 he was named Hutchinson Community College Alumnus of the Year.

He married Janet Huffine in 1951, she died in 1988. He married Helen Stone in 2000. After his retirement he lead an active life with his ranching interest, farming, and world travel. He spent the winter months at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., his primary residence was in Hutchinson.

Survivors are his wife, Helen Weeks Stone Rogers; brothers, Carl and wife, Adela of Burwell, Neb., Paul and wife, Carole Ann of Pretty Prairie; 11 nieces and nephews, stepson, Richard S. Mackenzie and wife, Benita; step-granddaughters, Ali and Piper Mackenzie of Santa Fe, N.M.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Cecil; and his sister, Opal Rogers Miller.

Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at Grace Episcopal Church with Reverend Michael Milliken, Pastor Tim Carey and The Reverend Dr. Konrad Rock presiding. Cremation has taken place, there will be a register book to sign from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Elliott Mortuary. Private family inurnment will be at Eastside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Hospice of Reno County, Hutchinson Community College Endowment or to Grace Episcopal Church, all in care of Elliott Mortuary.