LTC Rodger R. Buzard, PNG. ret., and a retired United Methodist Minister, 69, of Bellefonte, formerly of St. Petersburg, died Wednesday morning July 23, 2014, at the Mt. Nittany Medical Center in State College.
Rodger was born in Rimersburg on January 22, 1945. He was the son of the late Clyde D. and Betty P. Thomas Buzard. LTC Buzard served in the U.S. Army National Guard of Pennsylvania and retired following thirty years of service. Rev. Buzard was ordained as a United Methodist Pastor and served both the Western Pennsylvania Conference and the Susquehanna Conference until his retirement in 1999. In the Western Pennsylvania Conferences he had served churches in Emlenton, St. Petersburg, and Foxburg, Eau Claire, Argentine, Cherry Tree, Edinburg and New Brighton; in the Susquehanna conference he had served the Coudersport Church. He had also served the church in various extension and counseling ministries. Rodger enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family.
Rodger is survived by two sons, Michael Buzard and his wife, Lorie, of Bellefonte, and Ronald C. Buzard of Knox. Also surviving are ten grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren, a brother, Gerald D. Buzard of Columbus, OH, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia A. Buzard, who died on October 27, 1982, and a son, Rodger R. Buzard Jr., who died on October 22, 1988.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home, Inc., 802 Grove St., St. Petersburg, from 2 — 4 p.m. Friday. A funeral service will be held at 4:15 p.m. Friday from the St. Petersburg Cemetery with the Rev. Jonathan R. Bell, Pennsylvania National Guard Chaplain, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the cemetery. For more information, or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.
