In a permanent remembrance to a legendary Huntington Beach community leader, our City Council unveiled the Michael E. Rodgers Memorial Wall at the Senior Center.
There are few who have done more for Huntington Beach seniors than Michael E. Rodgers. As co-founder of the Huntington Beach Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), Rodgers created their Life Long Learning Education Program. A few years later, he joined with several Surf City senior activists to form the Huntington Beach Council on Aging (HBCOA). Under Rodgers’ leadership, the HBCOA led a campaign to remodel the senior center with an additional 1,500 square feet. The building was named the Michael E. Rodgers Seniors’ Center in 1984.
But Rodgers’ commitment was to Huntington Beach at large, not just the senior community. He served as the Grand Marshall of the 79th annual Independence Day Parade in Huntington Beach. He was named Citizen of the Year in 1982 and served as a member of the Orange County Transportation District Advisory Committee.
Rodgers’ aging activism laid the foundation for Huntington Beach seniors to have access to among the best services, programs, information and education throughout the region in an effort to continually promote the dignity and quality of life of all HB residents regardless of their age.
