Anna Rogovin, 100, died Oct. 27, 2016.
Born in New York City to Russian immigrants, Ms. Rogovin attended Hunter College in New York at age 15. She graduated with honors and began her career with a civil service job in the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC. When World War II broke out, she enlisted in the WAVES in the United States Navy, where she worked on developing synthetic rubber. She served on active duty for the duration of the war, and continued her service for 20 years in the U.S. Naval Reserves, where she rose to the rank of lieutenant. After the war, she received her master’s degree in organic chemistry from the University of Illinois, where she studied with Carl Shipp Marvel. Fittingly, she died on Navy Day. Over the course of her career, Ms. Rogovin worked as a research chemist for several companies, including Colgate Palmolive, Rohm & Haas, and retired from the American Petroleum Institute. At 91, Ms. Rogovin survived a hit-and-run accident in New York involving a semi-trailer truck, which left her confined to a wheelchair. She moved to Tucson, living at Handmaker Jewish Services for the Aging, for the last nine years. At Handmaker, she started a book club and a Torah study program, and made sure flags were displayed at Handmaker for every appropriate holiday.
Ms. Rogovin was preceded in death by her sister, Rose (Albert) Duben of Tucson and brother, Abraham (Jean) Rogovin of New York. She is survived by her nieces, Leah Richter of Tucson and Lorraine (Arthur) Weitman of Las Vegas.; nephew, Steven Rogovin of Rivervale, N.J.; six great-nieces and nephews; and seven great-great nieces and nephews.
Services were held in Queens, N.Y., and interment was in Elmont, N.Y. Arrangements were made by Evergreen Mortuary.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Handmaker Foundation, 2221 N. Rosemont Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85712, or the Veterans Administration, 3601 S. 6th Ave, Tucson, AZ 85723.
