Everett E. "Buddy" Rogers

Everett E. “Buddy” Rogers, 69, of Princeton, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly on September 19, 2026. Born February 12, 1957, in Lawrenceville, Illinois, Buddy lived a life that was remarkably full—not simply because of all he accomplished, but because of the extraordinary number of people whose lives were better for having known him.

Buddy was, quite simply, larger than life. He had an infectious smile, a wonderful sense of humor and a genuine love for life that drew people to him. He never seemed to meet a stranger, and those fortunate enough to become his friends often found that friendship quickly became family. He was generous with his time, his knowledge and himself, quietly helping others whenever and however he could, never looking for recognition in return.

At the center of Buddy’s life was the love of his life, his wife, Margaret “Puff” Rogers. Introduced through a mutual friend, Buddy and Puff married October 14, 2001, and built a life defined by a rare and beautiful devotion to one another. Those closest to them often described theirs as the kind of love in which they simply lived for each other. Together, they opened their hearts and their lives to countless people who came to consider themselves part of the Rogers family.

Basketball was woven throughout Buddy’s life from the time he was a boy. He grew up playing the game throughout his school years and was talented enough to continue playing at the collegiate level, first at Vincennes University and later at Kentucky Wesleyan College. Long after his own playing days ended, his love for the game remained—and eventually became one of the most meaningful ways he would give back to others.

Buddy possessed a keen mind and enjoyed a distinguished professional career as a financial executive. Among his professional accomplishments, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Microtune and was instrumental in the company’s transition to becoming publicly traded. His career and education took him far beyond his Southern Indiana roots, but Buddy’s greatest measure of success was never found in a title or résumé.

It was found in people.

Buddy believed in giving back to his community and devoted his time and leadership to numerous civic and charitable organizations, including his local YMCA and his alma mater high school and colleges. Whether sitting in a boardroom, helping a friend solve a problem, offering advice or simply showing up when someone needed him, Buddy brought the same qualities to everything he did: intelligence, generosity, loyalty, humor and an unmistakable enthusiasm for life.

Perhaps nowhere was Buddy’s influence more evident than in his beloved basketball family. As head coach of the eighth-grade girls basketball team, Buddy gave his players far more than instruction in the game he had loved nearly all his life. He gave them his time, his encouragement, his wisdom and his belief in them. To Buddy, they were never simply players on a roster. They were his girls, and they knew how deeply Coach Buddy cared about them.

The depth of that bond became especially evident following his death, when his players gathered with Puff and their fellow coaches to cry together, share memories and begin trying to comprehend the loss of someone who had become such an important part of their young lives. Several of his players have described Buddy as being like a grandfather to them. 

Buddy’s generous heart extended to animals as well. Over the years, he and Puff shared their home and their love with numerous beloved pets. Among those who will surely feel his absence are King, their German Shepherd whom Buddy rescued from an abusive life and gave a safe and loving home, and Sophie, their rescue kitty. For Buddy, bringing an animal into his home meant bringing it into the family, and they were loved accordingly.

Buddy loved golf, bicycling, scuba diving, puzzles, grilling a good steak or salmon, pizza, Batman, basketball and making people laugh. He was competitive, endlessly curious and full of personality. He had little patience for laziness, but seemingly endless patience for someone who genuinely needed his help. Friends sought his counsel because Buddy was a man of tremendous wisdom and knowledge—but also because they knew he would listen.

In the days following his passing, the Rogers home filled with people, stories, laughter through tears and variations of the same sentiment: Buddy made a difference in my life. Some had known him for decades; others only a few years. Yet again and again, people spoke of looking up to him, learning from him, confiding in him and wanting to be a little more like him.

That may ultimately be Buddy’s greatest legacy.

And to Puff, he gave his heart.

Buddy is survived by his beloved wife, Margaret “Puff” Rogers; his siblings, Phil Rogers, Richard Rogers and Billie Marlene Wilson; their spouses and extended family; and a remarkable circle of friends, teammates, players, fellow coaches and loved ones who became family along the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Billy Lou and Doris Jean Adams Rogers.

The enormous void left by Buddy’s sudden passing is a reflection of the enormous space he occupied in the lives of those who loved him. His influence will continue in the community he served, the friends he counseled, the young women he coached and encouraged, and the countless people who will carry a little piece of Buddy Rogers with them for the rest of their lives.

Friends may visit with Puff and the family on Saturday, September 26th from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the gymnasium at the Toyota Indiana YMCA of Gibson County. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Toyota Indiana YMCA of Gibson County.

Online condolences may be shared at ColvinFuneralHome.com, where friends and family can also share fond memories of Buddy. Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton has been entrusted with the arrangements. 

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