I’ve been a Roy Rogers and Dale Evans fan since childhood.The first record I can remember parents purchasing specifically for me was entitled, “The Bible Tells Me So.” It was written by Dale Evans, and recorded for kids by Roy and Dale. Until today I hadn’t realized that Roy and Dale had a daughter by the name of Robin Rogers. She was born with down syndrome and died at the tender age of 23 months in July of 1952. Roy and Dale had been advised to institutionalize the child, which was common at the time, but they decided to take her home and make her part of their family.
The following excerpt is from a moving article about an exhibit dedicated to Robin found at the Dale Rogers Training Center in Oklahoma City. I shed a few tears while reading the article… Family history is filled with families that include children with disabilities. These children offer not only challenges, but often much joy to our families. Robin was one of those special children.
Dale Rogers Training Center remembers famous namesake and her daughter with Oklahoma City museum exhibit.
In honor of the Dale Rogers Training Center’s 60th anniversary, the Oklahoma City United Way agency opened the Robin’s Corner Museum Exhibit and Roy & Dale Rogers Memorabilia Collection, dedicated to the famed Western entertainers and their daughter, Robin, who was born with Down syndrome.
Be not forgetful to entertain a stranger,
for thereby some have entertained
an Angel Unaware.
– Dale Evans Rogers, from the song “Angel Unaware”
Flanked by fancy figurines, a shiny lunchbox and a harmonica still in its colorful packaging, the tiny red piano with its worn keys and scratched paint is clearly both passionately used and lovingly preserved.
It was Robin Rogers’ favorite toy, a fitting choice for the daughter of “The King of the Cowboys” and “The Queen of the West.” Now, it is carefully arranged behind glass along with a toy record player, a soft white blanket and portraits of a little girl who will forever be 2 years old but still managed to make a big difference.
“During her short little life, Dale Evans Rogers really credited Robin with making their family closer,” said Connie Thrash McGoodwin, longtime executive director of the Dale Rogers Training Center.
I have a picture of Roy Rogers & Dale Evans & Trigger sent to me in 1949. It also has the envelope it was mailed in and has a 2 cent stamp on it for the postage.
I was a BIG fan of Roy Rogers.
I am now 83 years old.
I have been a fan of Roy, Dale, Sons of the Pioneers since the late 50’s. I met Roy and Dale many times and have a large collection of their things. Roy always let me take photos of him. What a great career. I managed to get many of Roy’s movies in the uncut versions which are so much better.
I had a brother who was born in 1952 with down syndrome and died of heart failure. This event almost destroyed my mom as a new mother so I know from what my mom told how devastating it is, she never stopped loving him up to her death and she and my dad are with him now taking care of him as a baby xoxoxo
I can now identify with the rogers family of this traumatic loss