Photos

A celebration of the life of Tom Martin Rogers, a resident of Portola Valley and a longtime curator at Filoli, will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at The Sequoias, 501 Portola Road, in Portola Valley. Mr. Rogers died Nov. 21 of acute leukemia. He was 80.

Mr. Rogers was honored May 10 at a reception at Filoli for his 22 years as curator at the historic Woodside estate. After retiring from teaching, he served as curator from 1989 to 2011, overseeing the collections of antiques, artifacts and historical furniture at the estate.

Born in Fresno, he grew up in Salinas and attended San Jose State University, where he earned his bachelor's degree and secondary teaching credential. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1958 and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. After being honorably discharged, he worked as an actor in Fallon theater in Columbia during the summers as he started his teaching career.

His teaching career at Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District was from 1958 to 1985. While teaching, he volunteered as a docent at Filoli from 1977 to 1989. He was also a volunteer at the San Francisco Palace of the Legion of Honor and an active participant in the San Francisco Ceramic Circle.

He enriched many lives with his optimistic outlook, sense of humor and love for others, say family members.

He is survived by his three grandchildren; their parents, Bill and Judie Lee; brother-in-law Jack Brott; and nephew Eric Brott.

Gifts in Mr. Roger's memory may be directed to the Filoli Conservation of Objects in the Decorative Arts Collection; or for the Acquisition of Books for Filoli's Sterling Library, 86 Canada Road, Woodside, CA 94062; or to a fund directed to assist Residents Who Have Exhausted Their Funds, The Sequoias, 501 Portola Road, Portola Valley, CA 94028.

Click here to read Jane Knoerle story on Tom Rogers.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.