David Rodger

GROVELAND - David Rodger was born April 12, 1941, in Grafton, North Dakota to parents Vernon and “Nettie” and older sister Nadine Rodger. He spent his youth in his hometown of Hoople, ND, graduating from Hoople High School in 1959. David attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, graduating in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Following graduation, David remained at Macalester as a foreign student advisor and assisted with International Programs. He met Katharine Kinnear during that time, and they were married in 1967 in St. Paul. David and Kathy moved to New York City in 1968 where David completed a Masters in International Affairs at Columbia University.

From 1971 through 1982, David was the Executive Director of the International Institute of Greater Lawrence in Lawrence, Massachusetts, working with immigrants and refugees. He was recognized in particular for his work resettling Vietnamese refugees during the 1970s.

In 1983, David opened his antiquarian bookstore Andover Books and Prints in Andover, Massachusetts, which he owned and managed for 25 years. He was a fixture in the downtown business community in Andover, and enjoyed hosting events at the store over the years, including a recurring “Tea at Three.”

In 2003, David and Kathy moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they enjoyed retirement for 12 years before returning to Massachusetts in 2016 to live in Groveland. Because of failing health, Davis moved to Port Healthcare Center in Newburyport in 2019.

David is remembered for his love of books, travel, and the ocean. His memory will be carried on by his two daughters and their families: Katie Rodger, who lives in Davis, California with her husband Jonathan Feagle and their sons Ben and Andy, and Amy Dubow, who lives in Groveland, MA with her husband Joe, son Tommy, and daughter Kate.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 13, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to UNHCR (unhcr.org) or the Methuen Memorial Music Hall (mmmh.org). For guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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