Leonard Lamar Rodig

Leonard L. Bud Rodig, 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 13 at his residence in Edmonds, Washington, after a 14 year battle with Alzheimers Disease. He was born on 12 Sept 1927 to Henry A. Rodig and Minnie Sarah Franklin in Buhl, Idaho. Leonard is the grandson of Charles Herman Rodig and Mary Morgel of Cleveland, Ohio. Charles Herman Rodig (1845-1932) emigrated with his father Theodor Rodig (1818-1857) and mother Caroline Mattiescheck in 1857 from Germany. Theodor died on the Sir Isaac Newton ship on the way to America in 1857, off the coast of Newfoundland. His wife Caroline arrived in New York with two young sons, Charles and Albert, and went to Cleveland, Ohio. Charles Herman Rodig was a watchmaker and a jeweler in Cleveland. He also owned a printing press, and made paper coins during the Civil War. Charles H. Rodig remained in Cleveland until 1893, when he moved to El Cajon, San Diego, California. He continued his jewelry and watch business there. Henry A. Rodig, father of Leonard, was born in El Cajon, California in 1894 to Charles H. and Mary Rodig. Henry schooled in El Cajon, and was called for the draft during World War I, and was stationed in Seaside, Oregon with the US Army. While in Seaside, he met and married Minnie Franklin, daughter of Charley William Franklin and Lena Blick. Henry and Minnie later moved to Buhl, Idaho to be near family. They had four children born in Idaho: Laverna, Delores, Leonard, and Vernon. Leonard Rodig received his education in the Buhl public schools, and after graduation enlisted in the US Navy. While stationed in San Francisco, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth Stockham on 16 Feb 1946. She is the daughter of Lyman L. Stockham and Elsie Ruth Lynch, who married in 1922 in Idaho. With the ending of World War II, Leonard was honorably discharged from the Navy in San Francisco. Leonard and Ruth returned to Buhl, Idaho, where he continued college studies. They eventually moved to Moscow, Idaho, where Leonard attended the University of Idaho, majoring in Business Finance. After graduation from the University of Idaho, the Rodigs moved to Richland, Washington, where Leonard worked for the General Electric Company in Hanford. The family moved a few years later to Kennewick, and Leonard continued working at Hanford for GE. He later worked in the finance department for Battelle Memorial Institute, a science and technology development company. In 1976 he transferred to the Seattle office, and began a new family adventure with their residence in Edmonds. Leonard and Ruth loved the University of Washington sports teams, and were football season ticket holders for many years. They were also season ticket holders with the Seattle Mariners, and loved the Seattle Seahawks. Leonard remained with Battelle and retired in 1990.Leonard and Ruth enjoyed traveling during the summer months, taking their young children camping and hiking in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho. He loved many outdoor activities and especially river fishing for Idaho salmon. In Kennewick, they were active members of the First Christian Church. After retiring from Battelle, Leonard and Ruth continued to travel throughout the United States. They attended national church conventions, often as representatives from Edmonds Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, where they were members for 40 years, and devout Christians. They also visited many court houses and cemeteries in search of family information, traveling to Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Alabama, and many other states. Leonard and Ruth enjoyed many hobbies together. He came from a family of rock collectors, and as a child, his parents went to many areas in Idaho, Montana and the Pacific Northwest, to dig for rocks and arrowheads. Leonard also inherited from his parents, a love of collecting coins, and kept meticulous records on what coins he had. Leonard is survived by his loving wife of 70 years; his four children, Steve Rodig, Tami Sherrill (Rich), Chris Rodig (Jody), and Connie Hoag (James); his brother Vern (Beverly) Rodig of Buhl; numerous nephews and nieces; 14 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and three great, great grandchildren. Leonard was preceded in death by his sisters Laverna (Harvey) Holmes, and Delores (Richard) Warntjes. Leonard was a devoted, loving husband and father. His gentle spirit, and enthusiasm for God and his family will be missed by many. The family would like to thank Marilyn, Cirila, Patricia, and Oscar for their loving care; and Providence Hospice of Snohomish County. Arrangements are under the direction of Becks Funeral Home in Edmonds, WA.