Rodger W. Wagner | Court officer, 74

Rodger William Wagner, 74, of Mount Airy, a retired court officer and fashion-show impresario, died of apparent heart failure Sunday, Dec. 19, at Albert Einstein Medical Center.

Mr. Wagner grew up in North Philadelphia. A talented basketball player, he won the 1954 North Philadelphia Federation Foul Shooting Tournament and played basketball for Simon Gratz High School.

From 1956 to 1960, he served in the Air Force in Texas and Wyoming.

After his discharge, he worked for Philco-Ford in South Philadelphia, where he met his future wife, Betty J. Brockington.

Mr. Wagner later joined the court system in Philadelphia, and for twenty years issued subpoenas for Common Pleas Court.

He retired as chief field supervisor in 1984.

For 10 years, from the late 1970s to the late 1980s, he and his wife produced Riviera Rodger Fashion Show Extraordinaire.

His wife modeled in the fall and spring shows, which featured the work of local African American designers. The shows, with their inspirational themes, became a celebration of black heritage, pride, and unity, his family said.

In addition to his wife of 42 years, Mr. Wagner is survived by a daughter, Robin; a son, Rodney; a stepson, Michael; and three grandchildren.

A funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Canaan Baptist Church, 300 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia. Friends may call at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Chelten Hills Cemetery, Mount Airy.

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