Dr. Robert Larry Rogers

Dr. Robert Larry Rogers, age 84, of Prentiss, Mississippi, passed away on March 8, 2026, at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg.

Born on February 10, 1942, in Silver Creek, Mississippi, to Robert Glyn and Mary Nell Hartzog Rogers, Larry grew up with a deep connection to the land that would shape his distinguished career. He earned a B.S. degree in plant pathology and weed science from Mississippi State University in 1964 and a Ph.D. in the same field from Auburn University in 1967, with a minor in biochemistry.

Larry began his professional life in 1967 as an assistant professor in LSU’s Department of Plant Pathology. He advanced to associate professor in 1972 and full professor in 1976, focusing much of his research on soybean weed control. He guided seven M.S. students and two Ph.D. students as major professor and served on committees for nineteen others. In 1974, he was appointed resident director of the Northeast Research Station in St. Joseph, where he expanded the faculty and broadened research to encompass nearly all aspects of row crop production and forages. From 1988 to 1991, his responsibilities also included oversight of the Sweet Potato Research Station at Chase. In 1995, he returned to Baton Rouge as vice chancellor for administration for the LSU AgCenter, and the following year was named vice chancellor for research and director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station. Over his career, he authored or co-authored ten papers in national scientific journals, six LAES bulletins, more than fifty abstracts, and over one hundred popular articles.

A longtime member of the Southern Weed Science Society, Larry served as its president in 1987. He was a faithful member of Bethany Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Jennifer June Rogers, and his brother Thomas Houston “Tommy” Rogers. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marsha Rowland Rogers of Prentiss; his son, Matt Rogers (Ginger) of Baton Rouge; his brother, Mike Rogers of Prentiss; his sister, Susan Peoples (Jim) of Madison; and his grandson, William Andrew Rogers of Baton Rouge.