Rebecca Carson Rogers
Grantham, NH – Rebecca Carson Rogers, 71, died on August 16, 2026, in Grantham, New Hampshire surrounded by loved ones. She lived with vibrant enthusiasm and an enduring joie de vivre that remained steadfast through her final two years with ovarian cancer.
Born on April 30th, 1955, in Dearborn, Michigan, Rebecca built a life shaped by music, education, and professional service. After growing up and attending primary and secondary school in Baltimore MD, she earned a B.A. from Swarthmore College, an M.A. from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College – CUNY, and later attended the Massachusetts School of Law.
Her long career reflected a breadth of interests and abilities. A lifelong solo, orchestral, and ensemble flutist and conductor, Rebecca honed her expertise as a flutist while living and studying in Paris, France in the mid-1970s. She held music positions at many schools, colleges, and institutions including the Brattleboro Music Center, the Saint-Gaudens Memorial, Atlantic Union College, Keene State College, and Indian Hill (now Groton Hill) Music Center. She also taught flute in her personal studio while managing and performing in many regional ensembles from the late 1970s to today.
Always looking for a new challenge, after attending law school in the late 1990s, Rebecca worked for multiple Institutional Review Boards including those at Dartmouth College, the Geisel School of Medicine, and the Dartmouth Cancer Center. Later she ventured south to work as the executive chair at Schulman Associates IRB and a member of the Duke University IRB in North Carolina, before returning to the Upper Valley for her retirement.
Rebecca was exuberant, outgoing, and gregarious, qualities that shaped her connections with others throughout her life. She enjoyed participating in countless social groups, clubs, and volunteer organizations over the years. She loved spending time with her canine companions, including her rescue greyhound Nitro, and competing in agility with her westie Daisy. A former competitive triathlete, during her later years Rebecca took up rowing with CReW (Cancer Recovery Through Rowing) and enjoyed the camaraderie of her fellow rowers while embracing this new athletic pursuit.
She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Stephen R. Rogers; her son, Stephen C. Rogers and daughter-in-law Christine Clisura of Grantham, NH; her sister, Anne (Carson) Knapper and brother-in-law Ed Knapper of Wilmington, DE; as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand nephews. She was predeceased by her father, Dr. James E. Carson, and her mother, Jean B. Carson.
Rebecca leaves a lasting legacy through her music, scholarship, service, and her extraordinary gift for forging connections and building community.
A celebration of Rebecca’s life is being planned for later this fall.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Friends of the Dartmouth Cancer Center at One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001, or to the CReW program at the Upper Valley Rowing Foundation.
To leave a message of remembrance or condolence, please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
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