Born in Redwood City, California, Rodger found an innate talent in art. Upon graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, and finding little in desirable employment in his field, he fell back on art, designing and constructing leather clothes for several years with his brother Steve. Rodger then studied lapidary, cutting and polishing stones (Agates and Opals) in Tucson, Arizona for two years. Encouraged to learn silver smithing a passion for which evolved into gold smithing.

In 1976 he developed a commercial casting business in Santa Rosa, cutting rubber molds, and doing production casting in gold, silver, and bronze for local jewelers until 1980. Introduction to the art of engraving came by way of the Revere Academy of Gold Smithing in San Francisco in 1976 where he studied cloisonné, engraving, and stone setting with Alan Revere (1976), engraving with Yvette Rutledge (1977),  pavé diamond setting with Frank Torozo (1980). Years latter Rodger  fulfilled a long time ambition to study pavé with renowned diamond setter Joe Anello (worked for Gomez Bros., then Granat Bros. both of San Francisco for a total of 54 years), of Healdsburg (2002-4). Rodger was greatly  influenced by Mr. Ed Bienek (Fred Buehn Co., San Francisco), a guest lecturer in Revere’s engraving class. This introduction to the art of engraving developed a passion that was to grow over the next thirty years.

Rodger continues to reside in beautiful western Sonoma County, California, in the home he built himself in 1986. 

Rodger's hobbies include fly-fishing and fly-tying, sailing, and West Coast Swing dancing. He is a member of the Redwood Empire Swing Dance Club and has served on the Board of Directors as Dance Director for many years. His largest contribution consists of organizing the Annual Invitational Jack and Jill. He enjoys competing at national dance conventions. Rodger is also a member of the Russian River Fly Fishers, and served many years on their Board of Directors as Conservation Director.