Dr. Edward J. Rogalski

Dr. Edward J. Rogalski, 84, President Emeritus of St. Ambrose University, died Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the Summit of Bettendorf, surrounded by the love of his family.

Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Dr. Rogalski will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Christ the King Chapel, located on the campus of St. Ambrose University, Davenport. The Mass will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: QC Live Streaming. Private family burial will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Davenport.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 p.m. on Friday, October 9, at the Rogalski Center on the campus of St. Ambrose, with selected eulogies to be shared at 6:30 p.m. There will be additional visitation on Saturday at Christ the King Chapel from 9:00 a.m. until Mass begins.

Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ed and Bobbi Rogalski Presidential Scholars Scholarship Fund at St. Ambrose University or a charity of your choice.

Edward J. Rogalski was born on February 16, 1942, in Manville, New Jersey, the youngest of eight children born to Polish immigrants Joseph and Loretta (Kraszewski) Rogalski. A graduate of Manville High School, Ed was a gifted student athlete and leader of his class, and was recently inducted into their Hall of Fame. After graduating from Parsons College with majors in social sciences and education, Ed earned a master’s degree in student personnel administration and a Ph.D. in higher education both at the University of Iowa.

While at the University of Iowa, he met a fellow graduate student named Barbara Ann “Bobbi” Bogk. They were united in marriage on June 1, 1968, at St. Pius X Cathedral, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. Together, they raised five sons and were blessed with seven grandchildren. Ed was also fortunate to share in the lives of eight great-grandchildren. Bobbi preceded Ed in death on June 14, 2021, following 53 years of marriage.

In August of 1968, Ed and Bobbi moved to Davenport when Ed started his career at St. Ambrose College as dean of students. From 1974 until 1980 he served as vice president for administration and from 1981 until 1987 he served as senior vice president. In 1987, Dr. Rogalski became the 12th president of St. Ambrose University and oversaw unprecedented growth during his tenure. Dr. Rogalski retired in 2007 following 40 years of dedicated service to St. Ambrose.

Ed understood that universities are ultimately built through people and relationships. His leadership helped position St. Ambrose for the institution we know today, and generations of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the Quad Cities community benefited from his commitment to Catholic higher education and to the University he served for so many years.  For many of us, his legacy is also visible every day. The Rogalski Center is more than a building bearing his name. It remains one of the primary gathering places for our students and community, a fitting reminder of a president whose work was centered on creating opportunities for people to learn, gather, and flourish together. Ed graciously served as a mentor to so many in the community and will always be remembered for his approachability and genuine compassion.

Dr. Rogalski’s commitment to the Quad Cities extended beyond St. Ambrose as he served on the board of directors of US Bank, Genesis Health System, Handicapped Development Center, DavenportOne, Davenport Civil Rights Committee, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Junior Achievement, Davenport Rotary Club and the Scott County Family Y. He also served as past chair and member of the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Iowa College Foundation.

Ed was also deeply devoted to his Catholic faith and a longtime member of Holy Family Parish where he served on the parish council and as an eucharistic minister. He was named a Knight of St. Gregory, the highest papal honor bestowed upon a lay person.

Those left to honor his memory are his sons and daughters-in-law, Ted (Lisa) Rogalski, Bettendorf, J.J. (Roxanna) Rogalski, Oakland, California, Dan (Melanie) Rogalski, Newark, Delaware, David Rogalski, Champaign, Illinois, and Christopher Rogalski, Oakland, California; grandchildren: Dylan (Sasha) Heathman, Matt (Jordan) Rogalski, Cam (Alyssa) Heathman, Natalie (J.T.) Vonderhaar, Kate (Jeff) Goetz, Beckett and Emerson Rogalski; great-grandchildren: J.J., Miles, Asher, Noah, Leo, Maddie, Cora, Quinn, and one due any day; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Bobbi, Ed was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings.