On July 10, the University of Houston lost a dedicated staff member and alumnus when Rodger Peters, epidemiologist for the UH Health Center, passed away at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital.

Friends, family and colleagues will honor his memory with a memorial service at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31 in the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.

Staff Council, one of the campus organizations for which Peters volunteered, is coordinating the memorial.

“He was a true advocate for staff issues, disability awareness and caring about others,” said Angie Shortt, Staff Council president and director of communications for the Cullen College of Engineering. “He served several terms as chair of Staff Council’s communications committee and was the council's first webmaster.”

A book of remembrance, which will be presented to Peters’ family, currently is available for friends and coworkers to sign until noon on Aug. 30. Those who wish to write memories of Peters or send words of encouragement to his family may do so at the UH Health Center, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in Room 114 of the Ezekiel Cullen Building or the Dean of Students Office in Room 252 of the University Center.

In lieu of flowers, Peters’ family requests that donations be sent to a charity focusing on spinal muscular atrophy, a condition Peters was diagnosed with at the age of six. Donations should be sent to:

Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
P.O. Box 196
Libertyville, IL 60048-0196

To further commemorate Peters’ dedication to UH, Staff Council will dedicate a red oak tree in his honor. The tree will be planted near the Center for Students with DisAbilities to signify Peters’ role as an advocate for the disabled.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the tree can contact B. Renae Milton, Staff Council program coordinator, at (713) 743-1578 or via e-mail at brenae@uh.edu.

“Rodger will always be remembered as a true Cougar,” said Jeff Fuller, assistant director of student outreach services in the Office of Admissions and former Staff Council president. “He represented himself honestly and positively. I saw Rodger's leadership as a student leader and as a member of Staff Council. His commitment and passion are tremendous assets and values that truly define a leader.”

Mike Emery
memery@central.uh.edu