Oscar L. Rodgers
Cite this Page
"Oscar L. Rodgers," White House Workers History Project, White House Historical Association, 2026, https://whha.whirlihost.com/Detail/workers/723.
- Positions
- Fireman
- Engineer
- Years in President's House
- circa 1921 – 1963
- Legal Status
- Free Person
- Gender
- Male
- Race/Ethnicity
- White
- Biography
- Oscar L. Rodgers was born in Tennessee on August 20, 1895. (1) Rodgers worked for the Office of Public Buildings and Parks, but Christmas lists compiled by First Lady Lou Hoover indicate that he was assigned to the White House, sometimes listed as an engineer, fireman, or mechanic. His father-in-law, Samuel Ozment, worked there as a gardener. (2) According to his obituary in the Washington Post: “Mr. Rodgers has served 41 years at the White House between and including Presidents Harding through Kennedy.” The exact years of his service are unclear, but he may have joined the staff around the same time as his father-in-law: 1921. Further information about his life is scarce. Rodgers died on July 14, 1983 in San Antonio, Texas, and was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Maryland. (3)
- (1) Oscar Rodgers in the 1940 US Federal Census, Year: 1940; Census Place: Washington, District of Columbia, District of Columbia; Roll: m-t0627-00566; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 1-405, Ancestry.com; Oscar Leath Rodgers in the US World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942, The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War II Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the District of Columbia; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 058, Ancestry.com.
(2) Employees on Duty at the Executive Office, 1929, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1929, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Christmas 1930, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1930, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library; Xmas List 1931, Lou Henry Hoover Papers, Subject Files, White House Christmas 1931, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library.
(3) “Rodgers, Oscar L.,” Washington Post, July 17, 1983, pg. B6. - Birthplace
- Tennessee, USA