Jack Allen Rogers II, a 79-year-old Caucasian male, passed away on November 16, 2021, at Bel Air Nursing Center in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Rogers, born on July 17, 1942, in New Kensington, was a longtime resident of Arnold, Pennsylvania. He had a distinguished career as a chemical engineer, earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.
His professional journey included work at a nuclear power plant in Washington state and as an independent contractor for Bayer Corporation. Additionally, Rogers was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War, serving as a pilot and chief warrant officer, flying Cobra helicopters. His military service was marked by a mechanical failure incident that affected him for the remainder of his life.
Rogers was an avid sportsman, actively participating in skeet and trap shooting, target pistol shooting, and bird hunting. He was a member of the Tarentum Sportsmen Club and had a deep affection for his dog, Babe. He is survived by his siblings, including Janice Yankov of Lancaster, Marlene Carney, and Malvene Kulik of Lower Burrell, along with five nieces and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack A. and Mary Magliocco Rogers, and a niece, Amanda Kulik.
In connection with Rogers’ death, Heather Pressdee, a former assistant director of nursing at Bel Air Nursing Center, was charged with multiple crimes related to the deaths of Rogers and other patients. Pressdee faces two counts of first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted homicide, and 19 counts of neglect of care-dependent persons. Authorities allege that she administered fatal doses of insulin to Rogers and other residents at five Western Pennsylvania nursing homes, including Bel Air. Pressdee is currently held in Butler County jail as investigations continue. The case has led to wrongful death lawsuits filed against Bel Air Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, with families seeking justice for their loved ones. Guardian Healthcare, the parent company of Bel Air, has expressed shock and dismay over the allegations, stating that they are cooperating with officials in the ongoing investigations.
Rogers’ family has not publicly commented on the case, but legal proceedings against Pressdee continue to unfold. The tragic circumstances surrounding his death have raised concerns about patient safety and oversight in nursing homes, prompting discussions about regulatory measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
