Rodney G. Schroeder

With a life dedicated to his work and family, he lived everyday as if it was a gift and always made the most of it. His spirit was generous and humble and was there for his friends whenever they were in need. It is with this story that we remember these things and the way they touched those who shared life with Rodney Schroeder.

The First World War was beginning to feel more in the past and the economic boom of the twenties was coming into its own. In 1922 with the excitement of prosperity and the lively big band music, parents Herman H. and Erna (Starks) Schroeder of Muscatine, IA had joys of their own. Late in the year, on the 30th of November 1922, they celebrated the birth of their youngest child, Rodney Gordon. Rodney had two older brothers and an older sister. Herman would bring home a box of chocolate covered cherries for his wife, Erna once a week. It was usually on Fridays, which was payday. Rodney's mother would hide them in her dresser drawer out of the reach of 5 year old fingers.

In the spring of his 6th year, Rodney's father died on May 14, 1928. Herman had collapsed from what proved to be a fatal heart attack. At the ages of 7 and 8, Rodney began fending for himself. As a child, he endured many illnesses. He had repeating cases of scarlet fever and bronchitis until finally his tonsils were removed. The good to come out of this was the enjoyment of ice cream to soothe his throat after the surgery.

His first friend was Bob Graff. Bob's family had a barn on their property which provided hours upon hours of fun with the big imaginations of adolescents. The years following his father's death Rodney and his mother moved around to a number of different cities. By the time he was 18 he had moved 18 times. After each move they ended up back in Muscatine, IA. It was around this time Rodney had his first taste of "near beer". It was enough to cure his taste for beer for a long time. While attending Washington School in Oshkosh, WI , he enjoyed the fire drills. This was the only time you could use the slides from the second floor. In his youth Rodney was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. When the Flood of 1937 on the Ohio River hit, he and his fellow Boy Scouts and troop leaders did many things to help in the relief effort after the flood subsided.

Rodney enjoyed swimming with his cousins and watching the men cut the ice from the lake in the winter. When he went fishing, he caught sun fish and bluegill. While in high school, he worked in the chemistry lab and played a lot of tennis during the summers. While active in Scouting he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Rodney graduated from high school in 1941. Rodney graduated from Withrow High School in 1941.

His university studies at the University of Cincinnati were interrupted by WWII. He heeded the call of duty to his country and joined the Army. While stationed at Camp Stewart, GA , he married Miriam (Peg) Marguerite Schurgast on June 4, 1944. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater at Ie Shima, and Okinawa in the Ryukyu's. After Japan he moved to help with the occupation of Korea within the 388th AAA-AW Battalion and the 24th Service Command. On the 14th of March, 1946 he was honorably discharged.

After returning home, Rodney graduated from University of Cincinnati with a degree in Chemical Engineering and Peg graduated from nurses training. Rodney found work at the Standard Ultramarine Co., of Huntington, WV . Later Standard Ultramarine became the Pigments Division of Chemetron Corp. which, even later was sold to B.A.S.F. of Ludwigshaven, West Germany . He served the companies as Manager of Chemical Engineering, Director of Chemical Engineering, Manager of Process Engineering, and Manager of Process Development. He also designed pigment plants in Samakawa, Japan , and Port Hope, Ontario .

Rodney was very intelligent and talented in his work. He was a Registered Professional Corrosion Engineer, a co-author of U.S. and Canadian Patents, a member of The National Association of Corrosion Engineers, The American Chemical Society, and The American Institute of Chemical Engineers .

Along with his professional advances and success in work, it was a time for family growth as well. It was during this time that Rodney and Peg welcomed their son, Gregg and their daughter, Gail, into this world and their family. The two children were able to know their grandma until 1971 when Rodney's mother, Erna, died. Seven years later they endured the pains of the death of their mother, Peg. Her death was on the same day Rodney was to celebrate his 56th birthday.

At the age of 60, Rodney found partnership and love in Marjorie Jean Gunther. In 1982, on the 24th of July Rodney and Marjorie were married. Three years following their marriage, Rodney retired from BASF. He once said, "I waited 40 years too long to retire. One should retire at age 20 and start again at 60." Once retired, he was a Charter member of H.A.S.P. (The Hope Academy of Senior Professionals) and served several years on their Board of Directors and likewise invested much time serving on the Advisory Board of the Holland Corps of the Salvation Army.

Rodney had many other things that he enjoyed doing with his time when he was not volunteering or at work. His love of music and gourmet cooking was admired by everyone who had the pleasure to dine in his home. Rodney and Peg traveled to the Dakota's for pheasant hunting. Beyond the west he and Marjorie traveled extensively elsewhere, visiting a number of Elderhostels and enjoyed venturing to Europe as well. Rodney and Marjorie traveled to Germany to research family genealogy.

With a passion for gardening and feeding the birds around his home, Rodney took great pleasure in being outdoors. He was always up for a round of golf. He tried to make everyday a great day. The great days were many when he was surrounded by his family. He took being a husband, father and grandfather very seriously and did so with much pride and much love.

It was with a gentle and generous spirit that Rodney touched all of life. In his humility he was an example of love and friendship to all. He put the needs of his family above all else and treasured every moment spent with them. May Rodney's love and spirit live on in the hearts and souls of all who were privileged to call him family and friend.

Rodney Gordon Schroeder died Saturday, October 22, 2005 in Holland Hospital . He was preceded in death by his first wife, Peg who died on November 30, 1978. Rodney's surviving family includes his wife-Marjorie; Children-Gregg and Diane Schroeder of Eliot, ME and their children- Guthrie John and Grace, Gail (Schroeder) Joslin of Bloomington, IL and her children-Cheri and Katie, James and Kristie Gunther of Arlington Heights, IL and their children-Laura and Katie, Dee Dee and Jim Piers of Holland and their children-Christian and Carter; plus nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Friends may visit with Rodney's family one hour prior to the Lifestory service which will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, October, 27, 2005 at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave. The Rev. William Unzicker will be officiating. Please visit Rodney's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Salvation Army or Third Reformed Church Mission Memorial Fund.