Richard P. Rogers ’67, a senior lecturer in Harvard’s Visual and Environmental Studies (VES) department and the director of the University’s Film Study Center, died on July 14 after a battle with skin cancer. He was 57.

In addition to overseeing the center, which sponsors long-range documentary projects, Rogers taught introductory video courses. Former students said that Rogers often interacted closely with them in these typically seminar-sized classes.

Former colleagues noted that he was able to draw prominent filmmakers to the film center and worked hard to get students interested and engaged in the work of non-fiction filmmaking.

Senior VES Lecturer Robert Gardner who founded the film center remembered Rogers as a gifted teacher who persuaded students to pursue careers in film and brought them to the center.

Agnes M. Chu ’02, who works at the film center, credited Rogers with sustaining an interest in film that she brought with her to Harvard.

“I was interested [as an incoming student], but my first class was with Dick,” Chu said. “He’s what kept me going.”

Chu remembered Rogers as a teacher with a critical eye, dedicated to his students’ projects.

“He was someone who put you to the challenge—he was there to engage you and criticize in the academic and formal setting, but out of class give you all the support you needed,” Chu said.