Denis Rogers was a doctor (GP)

General practitioner

A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...

, and latterly the Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand

Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand

The Mayor of Hamilton, New Zealand is the head of the municipal government of Hamilton, New Zealand, and presides over the Hamilton City Council.In the 2010 Local Government elections, Julie Hardaker was elected as mayor, defeating incumbent Bob Simcock....

 from 1959 to 1968, elected for three terms. During his mayorship, he campaigned for the poor and for an international airport

Hamilton International Airport

For the airport in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, see Hamilton/John C. Munro International Airport.The Hamilton International Airport is an airport located in the Waikato region, in New Zealand...

 to be built in Hamilton. He died of a myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction

Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...

 in 1987.

He was well known for his like of gardening, and the Rogers Rose gardens in Hamilton are named after him.

Rogers was married to Helen Wyn-Hesse; they had 3 children.

In 1964, Rogers was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire

Order of the British Empire

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...

, and in 1985 was awarded the Freedom of the City

Freedom of the City

Freedom of the City is an honour bestowed by some municipalities in Australia, Canada, Ireland, France, Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, Gibraltar and Rhodesia to esteemed members of its community and to organisations to be honoured, often for service to the community;...

 award.

Rogers died of a heart attack in 1987.

Rogers' brother, Anthony Rogers

Anthony Trevelyan Rogers

Anthony Trevelyan "Rufus" Rogers was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party.Born in New Plymouth on 12 July 1913, Rogers later attended Whitiora School and Hamilton High School, as well as Nelson College and the University of Otago, where he completed a MB ChB degree in 1938.He represented...

, was also a well known political figure in Hamilton.