Class of 1951

MOM TURNED TRAGEDY INTO CRUSADE TO AID
March 11, 2001

Out of the most devastating loss any mother can experience – the murder of her child – Nancy Koger forged the resolve to help others in similar circumstances.

“Rather than let that tragedy destroy her, Nancy turned it around and went out and became a champion for victims,” said Mel McDonald, a former Maricopa County Superior Court judge and U.S. attorney, who prosecuted her daughter’s killer in 1973. “She was the real pioneer of the victims’ rights movement in Arizona.”

Nancy Ann Harrison Koger died Feb. 21 of cancer. The longtime Phoenix resident was 67.

“Nancy was sweet and funny,” said McDonald, who became friends with Koger after the trial, “but she was strong in her opinions and didn’t hesitate to call me and give me hell if I did something she didn’t agree with. She had tremendous credibility and integrity and really touched a nerve in the community.”

Koger was born in Albuquerque and moved to Colorado while still an infant. Her father died when she was just a child her mother, forced into the workplace, became a hotel manager. They settled eventually north of San Diego, where Koger became the quintessential California girl, spending as much time as possible at the beach.

After she graduated from San Dieguito Union High School, Koger and her mother moved to Phoenix in 1952. She spent a year at Phoenix College, then transferred to Arizona State Teachers College, now Arizona State University. One day she struck up a conversation with fellow student Wayne Koger by asking to borrow a pen.

Though their first date was a trip to the library to research an assignment, the young couple knew right away they were meant for each other and, in 1954, they married at All Saints Episcopal Church in Phoenix. Afterward, Koger took a job at the front desk of the Maricopa Inn in Mesa but left before long to raise her children.

In the late 1960s, Koger began a nearly 30-year career as a travel agent. Over the years she enjoyed many trips to vacation spots around the country, as well as abroad. She especially enjoyed a visit to Fiji.

Tragedy struck in 1973 when her oldest daughter, Kathy, and her boyfriend, Jim Burgoyne, were slain near Saguaro Lake northeast of Phoenix. On top of that, Koger and her family had to endure the indifference of the criminal justice system which, at the time, had plenty of procedures to protect the rights of defendants, but none for victims. They also had to deal with intrusive and speculative media reports.

Koger took the grief, anger and frustration of her experience and used it as a source of strength, becoming a tireless advocate for victims’ rights.

“She didn’t want anyone else to have to go through what we went through,” said Kris Shipp, Koger’s daughter.

Later, Koger and her husband co-founded the Phoenix chapter of Parents of Murdered Children to help other families cope with the heartache that follows the murder of a child.

“Many times the phone would ring in the middle of the night, and Mom would leave to go help a family who’d lost a child,” Koger’s daughter Karalee said. “Even though it dredged up painful memories, she always went.”

Though her daughter’s death was a pain that never went away, Koger carried on.

In her spare time, Koger read voraciously, especially mysteries and romances. She also enjoyed old movies, particularly those of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, or Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy.

Koger was a skilled cook who enjoyed entertaining and hosting pool parties. Every Christmas she made a prime rib dinner and, because she was something of a perfectionist, always had the table set just so.

After a heart attack in 1989, Koger quit smoking, cold turkey. But she fashioned a soda straw to look like a cigarette and “smoked” it after dinner, holding it elegantly in her meticulously groomed hands.

More than anything else, she loved spending time with her grandkids, and often took them to local resorts to swim and play on the waterslides. And though it had been decades since she left the coast, Koger remained a California girl at heart. She visited as often as she could, sharing her beloved beach with her children and grandchildren.

Koger is survived by her husband, Wayne daughters Karalee Koger and Kris Shipp son Chip and grandchildren Eric, Allison and Katie Shipp, all of Phoenix.

—Copyright (c) The Arizona Republic.

Hi all,

Most of you know that Paul Rotsheck died Tues morning [September 22, 2009] at 3 am of heart failure. There is to be a memorial “celebration of Life” open house, on Sunday October 4, 2009 from 1-5 at the Club house at 2341 Lapis Rd., Carlsbad 92009.

The family has asked if you have any memory you would like to share about Paul or any pictures that you e-mail them to Paula Rotsheck Broderick. The family requests no flowers and if you you wish to make a donation please make it to the Heart Assoc. or the charity of your choice. The family reiterated that they would really like stories about Paul that they could cherish.

For questions call Betsy Schreiber (760) 753-8247 or schreiberf">e-mail me.

–Betsy Schreiber

John E Todd husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend passed away on March 27th, 2009 at the age of 77 from Alzheimer’s and Vascular complications with family and hospice by his side.

John was born February of 1932 in Wyoming. A few years after his birth his family relocated to Southern California where he settled for 70 years. He attended and graduated from San Dieguito High School. During his High School years he was a member of football team, future farmers and choir. Following High School he attended Oceanside Junior College where he was also a member of the football team. His career started in 1952 at the Water Irrigation District in San Dieguito, before being drafted into the Army and mobilized to Korea. After returning from Korea he went to work and became a member of Local Labor Union 89 where he remained a member for 50 years. After retiring in 1989 he enjoyed his retired years camping, fishing, traveling, watching sports and enjoying his grandchildren.

John is survived by his loving wife of 49 years Rosa Todd, son John A, son Jerrold, daughter Sharon Gervais. Grandchildren Jennifer Ping, John R, Phillip Gervais, Michael Gervais. Great Grandchildren Josiah and Julianna. Sister Dorothy Bigham and many nephews, nieces and friends he adored. We love you and will miss you.

—obituary published by El Camino Mortuary