Rodney Smith

Rodney Smith Rod Smith, of Springfield Oregon, passed away at the age of 58 on January 29, 2018 after a courageous 18 year battle with brain cancer. He was born July 22, 1959 to his parents, Gary and Joyce Smith. He was the oldest child of five boys; Howard, Carl, Mitch, and Kevin. Rod grew up most of his life in Springfield where he spent his younger years hunting, fishing, camping and living on a cattle farm with his parents and siblings. He graduated from Thurston High in 1977 as an outstanding basketball player and pitcher for the baseball team. He attended a year of college in Bend and returned to his home town to work at the family business, Office Equipment Company. He worked at OEC for 35 years. Through his working years he held numerous positions; typewriter repair, training, computer and copier sales, sales manager, and HR/payroll. He took pride in his ability to serve his customer base and had a loyal following of clients who appreciated his knowledge and friendly disposition. He was also an active member of the Eugene Executive Association. Rod married Barbara Mentze in 1982. They lived in the Mohawk Valley for their entire marriage where they raised their two children on a cattle farm. Rod took great pride in maintaining the acreage and raising his kids to have a great work ethic with the life skills they learned on the farm. He was involved with the kids as they showed cattle for several years in 4-H and then later at county and state fairs with his daughter. He also assisted with coaching T-ball, wrestling, and baseball as the kids grew up. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing along with camping. He went on numerous hunting trips with his family and friends and enjoyed boating and camping on lakes throughout the state. Attending and following the Oregon Duck basketball team was also a favorite pastime he enjoyed. This last year of Rod’s life he got to see his son Chris achieve his goal of owning property and raising his kids as Chris did growing up. Rod also was so happy to be able to attend his daughter’s Utah wedding in September and walk her down the aisle. He was so proud of his kids and cherished watching them grow into amazing adults. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Barb, son Chris and wife Chrissy and daughter Andrea Clemons and husband Kris and grandchildren Owen, Emma, and Colton; parents Gary and Joyce, siblings Howard (Kathleen), Carl (Patti), Mitch (Cathy), and Kevin; Mother-in-Law Dorothy Libby and husband Mike; Father-in-Law Fred Mentze; Brother-in-Law Robert Mentze (Maureen) along with numerous Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and friends. Rod was an inspiration to many for his incredible strength, determination and positive attitude throughout his illness. He was a kind and loving person and will be missed by all. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 17 at 2:00 at Camp Harlow, 3850 County Farm Rd, Eugene. Memorial contributions may be made in Rod’s name to the National Brain Tumor Society, braintumor.org, or Peace Health Hospice, peacehealth.org/foundation.