Leif Rogers visits the home of Xue Xingkui (right), who has collection of Lei Feng memorabilia, along with Xue Sanyuan, an army colleague of Lei Feng.

Leif Rogers, an American living in Liaoning province, is among the legions of enthusiastic admirers of Lei Feng, one of China's most famous soldiers, renowned not for his battlefield exploits but his humanity.

Rogers first discovered the legend of Lei Feng on a hot summer night in 2005.

On his first visit to China, Rogers walked out of the Beijing Capital International Airport and hopped in a cab and the driver asked him his name.

"Leif," Rogers replied.

"Lei Feng! Your name is so close to Lei Feng," the driver replied.

Rogers didn't learn much about the model soldier during the ride because of the language barrier but the admiring expression on the driver's face when he referred to Lei Feng piqued his curiosity, which was already fired up by his journey to China.

Rogers' first job was teaching journalism at Liaoning University of Technology in Jinzhou. He discovered this was the same city where Lei Feng served in the army. Locals there continue to revere the soldier.

With the assistance of his colleagues and students, the American collected many stories and pictures of Lei Feng and his knowledge grew.

"Most of the military heroes I know are remembered for their performances in battles," he says. "While Lei Feng, the most distinguished soldier in China, was just a common private who drove a truck. That is why I was so attracted to him."

Customers to Roger's office are amazed at the special glass cabinet, where he has placed most of his precious collections of Lei Feng.

The display includes a white ceramic statue, which he treasures the most, calendars, cups, matchboxes and other souvenirs with political posters of Lei Feng.

Rogers has also added his own work to the collection by translating a book of Lei's quotes.

"A student at university gave me the Dairies of Lei Feng in 2006," he says.

"It is in Chinese and my Chinese was very limited. And I couldn't find an English version. There was very limited English information about Lei Feng so I thought I should do something on my part."

In 2007, he published a book Learn From Comrade Lei Feng, which he distributes to people wherever he goes.

"What I most appreciate in Lei Feng is his being so humble after doing good deeds," he says.

"That makes a comparison today as so much is about who you are and how much you are recognized."