Saturday, April 28, 1 p.m., Orcas Community Church
— from Ryan Carpenter for Orcas Island Community Church —
Robert F. Rodenberger was escorted by angels to be with Jesus after a brief battle with lymphoma. He was at home and surrounded by family at the time.
Bob was born on April 28, 1928 on Orcas Island, the son of first-generation pioneers. He lived, worked, and was raised in an agricultural setting that demanded hard work. Bob lived through the great depression, which informed the mindset of an individual who was both extremely thrifty and guided by the reality of surviving a hardscrabble existence. A quick scan of his shop reveals old cans and jars that are filled with rusty, bent, and spent nails and screws. The fascinating thing is that these items would have been recycled (repeatedly) in the past. Bob was a member of the “Greatest Generation,” those who earned every single thing they had. Nothing was left to chance or taken for granted.
After graduating from Orcas Island High School, Bob headed for Bellingham to attend Western Washington State College (now WWU), where he graduated with a teaching degree. He put himself through by working full-time jobs. Never far from his mind was Jeannine Lehmann, who was back on Orcas. Prior to leaving for his first teaching job in Prosser, Washington, they were married in 1951. In summer of 1953 Bob and Jeannine moved to Mukilteo, where Bob worked for his entire teaching/school administrator’s career. Additionally, Bob completed graduate studies at the University of Washington, University of North Dakota, and Oxford. He retired in 1982 from the Mukilteo School District.
Bob’s retirement activities were varied and exciting. He loved hanging out with the many people whose lives were intersected by his devotion to Jesus Christ. He was close friends with numerous pastors from various denominations and different stages of his life. He always brought calm and clarity to the table in all situations. He was utterly unflappable.
Inextricably woven into his spiritual station was his love of music. Those two things fit like a dove-tailed joint. It is said that the only force more powerful than music is love. Bob indulged in both things liberally and abundantly. He enjoyed different genres of music but was particularly fond of the hymns, with classical music running an extremely close second. Bob was a regular symphony attendee. There were a great many singalong events at his home, which always included a piano player and a good number of hymn books. It was not unusual at all for there to be 30 or more attendees. Bob also sang in a quartet while living on his native Orcas Island, even making a CD of their work.
Bob and Jeannine travelled all over the world. These trips are too numerous to name here but suffice it to say that the only continents not visited by them are Antarctica and Africa. For over 30 years they spent winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Besides hundreds upon hundreds of friends, Bob leaves his wife Jeannine of almost 67 years, son Bryan and wife Paula, son Brad and wife Mary, grandchildren Miranda (Jonathan), Morgan (Ryan), Matt (Alexandra), and Tim; and great-grandchildren Abby, Jonny, Phoebe, and Hannah.
Special thanks go to “A Better Solution In-Home Care,” and their staff of compassionate and loving caregivers including Michelle, Dawn, Lynda, Laurel, Jill, Alberta, Christina, Kelly, and others. These people are the unsung heroes performing the most difficult job under the most trying circumstances imaginable.
We thought it fitting to share a celebration of life event on what would have been Bob’s 90th birthday, April 28. This will happen at the Orcas Island Community Church. All are welcome to attend and share memories of Bob Rodenberger, this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Orcas Island Community Church, followed by a finger food potluck. For more info, call 360-376-6422.
