Mark Rogers RIP

It is with great sadness that I write that my friend and colleague, Mark Rogers, died this morning after a long and incredibly dignified battle with a malignant brain tumour.

I’ve had privilege of knowing Mark for 11 years – we moved to the same location at roughly the same time, me the short hop from Oxford and Mark returning from a stint working in Australia.  Both of us with young families.  I’d been working at the Open University for about five years by then with Mark’s dad, Brian, one of the most decent human beings you could ever hope to meet.

An Oxford University economist of international renown, Mark’s recent work has formed one of the foundation stones of Professor Ian Hargreaves emphatic call for evidence based policy making in his review of the UK’s intellectual property regime.

Down to earth family man, friend, academic and practical economist, optimist, writer, basketball coach and player, runner, cyclist, all round handyman and an infinite well of sound personal and professional advice, Mark is one of those impossibly nice, exceptionally talented and generous individuals you’d like your children to emulate.

The dignity and positive outlook with which he has faced his illness were genuinely awe inspiring.  He is survived by his partner Shona and two children, Callum and Tegan. Needless to say it is impossible to articulate the impact on his family - nothing can prepare you for such an experience.

There is neither rhyme nor reason for the world and, more especially his family, to be prematurely deprived of the gifts this man still had to offer. Mark himself would tell us to appreciate what we have and had rather than focusing on the loss and inevitable sorrow. Nevertheless, Mark, we will grieve. There will never be another Mark Rogers.  It's been an honour knowing you and working with you and a privilege to call you my friend.  I will treasure those gifts.

Update: A memorial service for Mark will be held at Oxford University's Harris Manchester College, in the College Chapel at 2.30 pm on Tuesday 2 August.

The service will be conducted by Revd. Dr. Ralph Waller, Principal of Harris Manchester, and there will be refreshments afterwards in the college. The family are asking that there be no donations of flowers but instead donations are requested for the Sobell House Hospice Charity. Mark spent his final weeks being cared for in Sir Michael Sobell House, which is a specialist unit for adults with life threatening illness. Donations are being coordinated by the funeral directors: P.L.Barrett, 81 Ock Street, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 5AG, tel. +44 (0)1235 520 808, and can be sent to them with a note that the donation is in memory of Mark Rogers.