Read the New York Times and Philadelphia Inquirer obituaries here.

The eldest son of Clair “Judge” Littell, legendary Cornell professor of history and political science and an ordained Methodist minister, Franklin Littell was prominent in ecumenical and interfaith activities for more than 50 years. His life’s work is the advancement of religious liberty and the exposure of persecution.

He served 10 years in the American occupation of post-war Germany  and was a founding member of the U.S. Holocaust Museum. He held advanced degrees from Union Theological Seminary and Yale University and was once president of Iowa Wesleyan College, a Methodist-affiliated institution. He was the author of more than two dozen books and nearly 300 major articles.

Memorial services will be announced at a later date.

Ed Rogers was born March 19, 1917, in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, the son of Glenn H. and Martha (Conrad) Rogers. He graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1935 and from Cornell College in 1939. He continued his studies as a graduate assistant in Zoology at the University of Oklahoma, receiving his M.S. in 1941. This was followed by a year spent at Princeton University on a Fellowship.

In December of 1941, he married Mary Elizabeth Trent of Waco, Texas. During World War II Ed was drafted in the Army Medical Corps where he served at the Amarillo Air Base, Winter General Hospital and the Fitzsimmons General Hospital until his discharge. He returned to the University of Oklahoma as an instructor in Zoology as he completed his Ph.D. He and his family then moved to Waco, Texas where he became an assistant professor at Baylor University. In 1955, Ed and his family returned to Mt. Vernon where he became Professor and Chairman of the Biology Department at Cornell. During his time at Cornell he enjoyed summer appointments at University of Tennessee Medical School, and at the University of Iowa in the Zoology Dept. He spent two years in Cali, Colombia as a special field staff member of the Rockefeller Foundation, and as a consultant to the Biology Department of the Universidad de Valle. In 1982, Ed retired from Cornell.

Ed’s first wife, Elizabeth, was killed in an airplane accident in Venezuela. In 1970, he married Dorothy Deal Ware in 1970 and they remained in Mt. Vernon until 1994 when they moved to Oaknoll Retirement Residence in Iowa City. During his years in Mt. Vernon he was involved with the Methodist Church, Lions Club, and Mt. Vernon- Lisbon Area Ambulance Service. He also served on the Board of Directors of St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids and was past president and former editor of the Iowa Academy of Science. Since moving to Iowa City he has been active in the New Horizons Band and the “Speak Up” program for fifth graders in the Iowa City Schools. At Oaknoll, he served on the Resident’s Council, including one term as president.

In 2007, Ed was surprised and honored when former Cornell student and renowned scientist, Professor Jack Roberts ‘65  of Vanderbilt University was awarded an endowed chair and chose to name it the “T. Edwin Rogers Chair in Pharmacology and Medicine.”

Surviving Ed is his wife, Dorothy; sisters, Martha McNabb and Dorothy Narro, daughter, Jane Rogers Gray, son, Richard Glenn Rogers (Patti), step-children, J. Scott Ware (”Wan”), Douglas R. Ware , R. Dwight Ware (Judy), David H. Ware (Lucia) and Jessie Ware (”Stacie”) and by 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mary Elizabeth (Trent); and his brother, William C. Rogers.

Ed’s dry humor, quick wit and tall tales endeared him to friends, family, colleagues, and students alike.

Memorial donations can be made in his memory to Cornell College, Mt. Vernon-Lisbon Ambulance Service, Iowa City-Johnson County Senior Center (New Horizon’s Band), the Oaknoll Foundation or any charity of your choice.

Christ-Janer served as Cornell’s president from 1961-1967. During his tenure he shepherded the construction of more campus structures than any previous administration, including four residence halls—Dows, Pauley, Tarr, and Rorem—The Commons, the maintenance building, and Ink Pond.

“It really saddened me to hear of his passing,” said Terry Gibson, Cornell senior vice president (pictured at left are, left to right, Carey Downs-Gibson, Arland Christ-Janer, and Terry Gibson), who began his career at the college working as Christ-Janer’s assistant in 1961. “He made this college a stronger, more stable Cornell.”

He also oversaw the largest single gift to the college up till that time—a $1,400,000 Ford foundation Grant—that facilitated a major restructuring of the curriculum. Under his leadership the college experienced growth in its endowment, student body, and faculty, and strengthened its relationship with the Methodist Church.

“Arland Christ-Janer was a great president, a great leader, and a great friend to Cornellians. His passing is felt by us all,” said Cornell President Les Garner.

“He made an enormous contribution to every institution he served. He was always curious, always generous, and he inspired great confidence among those with whom he worked,” added Garner.

After leaving Cornell, Christ-Janer went on to serve as president of Boston University, the College Entrance Examination Board (which oversees tests including the SATs), New College, Stephens College, and later as interim president at Ringling College.

Christ-Janer returned to campus in 1999 to receive Cornell’s highest award, the honorary degree doctor of humane letters.

He is survived by his wife, Uta.