Evelyn Rogge

On Wednesday, March 13, 2002, we lost a very dear member of our organization. Evelyn Rogge, our "Queen Bee" and assignment secretary of nearly 20 years, unexpectedly passed away that day. Evie was more than just a scheduler to us, and she will be greatly missed in more ways than can be expressed. Evie, we thank you and pay tribute to you and the hard work that you have done for us. It goes without saying that we dedicate the 2002 Season and a piece of every game we shall ever work to your memory. God Bless you Evelyn, and thank you so very much... for everything.

Today is a sad day for all of us. Evelyn Rogge has touched each of our lives in some way, and we are all better people because we have known her. Evelyn has been the keystone of Northwest Umpires for 19+ years in her title role of assignment secretary and assumed role of "Queen Bee."

Someone once said, "The world should be a better place because a person has lived." Evie made that happen with the example of her life. I believe that we all have a purpose in life and our major goal in life is to find out what that purpose is and to live our life to achieve that purpose.

Evelyn found purpose in her life many times over. She married her husband Bob and together they raised their family in their younger years. They gave life to their children and showed them a wonderful example of how to live a good life as good people. About 20 years ago, she found another purpose in her life. In her words, she profoundly explained her new purpose - "I got to tell umpires where to go!" In essence she had found another family to take care of and raise. Many of us viewed Evelyn as a mother-figure and she relished the role. Some of our wives even thought we talked to her more than we did to them.

Evie loved her role in baseball. Dealing with coaches, athletic directors and their secretaries gave her a great sense of accomplishment. When umpires have a good game to work it is always fun. She had a knack for putting the correct umpire or umpires on an assignment, and this gave Evelyn wonderful feelings of purpose and achievement.

For our organization, she handled problems big and small and persevered through many difficulties in her role of coordinating baseball games. She showed all of us how unique she was and also how lucky we were to have her in such a vital position of the organization.

Ev truly loved life. My relationship with her was one of a co-worker, friend, mother/son and confidant. We went through some failings and victories together and became better people because of it.

Our savior has called her home to continue the relationship that they started here on Earth. I bring up the name of Phil Abalan - a former NW umpire that died in 1994 and was a very good friend of Ev's and mine. Now Ev will be able to assign him some baseball games in Heaven. When Phil welcomed Ev into Heaven on that fateful Wednesday, we can only imagine that upon greeting her, he said with a smile, "What kept you, didn't you know I needed some games to umpire?"

Today is not only a time for grieving but also a time for celebrating Ev's life. It is time to remember how she touched each of our lives. Even our wives have favorite Ev stories. My wife Barb has gotten to know Ev well over these past 19+ years too. While I was in Florida this past January, Barb and Ev had weekly conversations about myself and many other topics too.

So, let us all mourn a great lady's departure but let us also celebrate Evelyn's life. Queen Bee, please take these wishes with you as we part: "Well done. You achieved a great deal in your wonderful life. Go forward and achieve now in your life after death too. We are all going to miss you."

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