He was a friend I had coffee with almost every weekend day over the last 2-3 years.
He was an engaging fellow and always had a smile and kind words.
He will be missed by his family and firends.
Rest in Peace Bruce.
RODIE
Lt.
Col. William Bruce Rodie, USAF, (Ret.), age 62, passed away on Tuesday,
October 18, 2011 in San Antonio, TX. He was born in Hackensack, NJ to
parents, Edward Bruce and Margaret Constantine Hardenbergh Rodie.
During
his 25 years of service in the Air Force, he had some notable postings
throughout his career. While at Vandenberg AFB, California, serving as
the Squadron Missile Combat Crew Commander, he was able to fire a test
missile into a pre-determined area. He came within 100 yards of the
exact target, which, when dealing with a nuclear payload "shouldn't make
too much difference on the outcome." His last posting was Howard AFB,
Panama, where he served as Commander-Morale Welfare and Recreation and
Services. Some interesting duties as the MWR Commander in an
international posting were to "keep an eye on the slot machines and make
sure the Mongolian BBQ comes out right."
After retirement, he was able
to shift his focus onto his family's enterprises and affairs. He served
as a Board Member and Co-Owner of the civil engineering magazine "PUBLIC
WORKS". Through his tenure, Bruce oversaw daily and monthly operations
until the prudent sale of the publication. After the passing of his
father, Bruce stepped into his shoes and overtook the management duties
of his mother's accounts as Trustee as well as serving on the board of
the charitable Rodie Family Foundation. These responsibilities were
deftly managed so that the fruits of his labor may be shared with the
non-profit organizations that the Rodie Family Foundation annually
supports. When he was not jetting out to California to help his mother
with financial organization and documentation, he was cheerfully digging
around in the dirt at his beloved school, TMI - The Episcopal School of
Texas. Bruce's son, Christopher attended the school from 6th to 12th
grade and has many fond memories through that time. Bruce's dedication
and labor can be seen throughout the campus as he personally ensured the
growth and beauty of the gardens; these are the same gardens that he
and Sandy generously created and donated to the school years ago.
Bruce's
education was heavily from life itself, but he also managed to eke out a
few degrees in the meantime. He completed his Bachelor's in Economics
from Ohio Wesleyan University where he was a member of the Air Force
ROTC detachment and a Brother in the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He
recounted the stories and benefits of his fraternity brothers many times
throughout the years. From the University of Northern Colorado he
received his MA in Public Administration. From the University of Montana
he received his MBA. Of particular note, he was very proud to have
received from the USA Small Business Administration the Small Business
Institute Regional Award. While in the Air Force, Bruce completed some
notable job specific education including Missile Launch Officer,
Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War
College. Through these series of training modules and formal study, he
was able to enhance his skills as a warrior and officer.
Bruce
has been active in scouting since his youth; this passion of scouting
was enhanced when his son entered Cub Scouts at the rank of Bear. He
volunteered, attended trips, and provided unmatched support to
Christopher on his way to the rank of Eagle Scout. After his son left
for college, Bruce stayed on with Troop 285 as Assistant Scoutmaster
while providing the same dedication and support to the many young men
that have gone through the troop. Of particular note, he was able to
share his love of photography with a select few by counseling them on
their way to achieving the Photography Merit Badge. Although no one
really knows where his obsession began, we do know that Bruce has been
involved with beekeeping for over 40 years. At the time of his passing,
he was serving as President of the Alamo Area Beekeepers Association. If
you knew Bruce for any reasonable length of time, you would be hard
pressed to not receive at least one box of honey still in the comb. As
part of his morning ritual, Bruce would routinely venture over to the
local Starbucks. Here he would meet with a group of retired
professionals he affectionately called the "Brain Trust." He would speak
of them fondly as he gained real joy from thoughtful discussion and
heady debates originating from a group with such varied and deep life
experiences. Reciprocally, Bruce brought a tone of friendliness and calm
to the group and their discussions. This sense of calm and joy pervaded
even to the staff of the coffee shop, especially whenever he was caring
for his neighbor's Maltese, Bella.
Bruce has always been a
likeable and unassuming man. His personality and charm gave him the
tools to equally connect with generals and ground crew. He brought honor
to his country, friends, and family by serving in the capacity he best
knew how. His titles were many: Lt. Col, MBA, Board Member, Trustee,
Missileer, Commander, son, brother, and father. He brought life and
beauty not only to the gardens under his stewardship, but also to the
people in and around his life. He was liked by many and will be sorely
missed by those of us who knew him best. Godspeed, Lt. Col. Rodie.
He
was preceded in death by his father, Edward Bruce Rodie and his beloved
dog, Little Red. Bruce is survived by his son, Christopher Andrew
Rodie; his mother, Margaret Constantine Hardenbergh Rodie; sister,
Elizabeth Rodie McGaughey and her husband, Robert Edward McGaughey, III;
and former spouse, Sandra Marie Rodie. The family will receive friends
from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., on Friday, October 28, 2011 at Porter
Loring Mortuary North, 2102 North Loop 1604 E.
SERVICE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2011
11:00 A.M.
TMI - ALL SAINTS CHAPEL
20955 WEST TEJAS TRAIL
GRAVESIDE SERVICE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2011
11:30 A.M.
FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
1520 HARRY WURZBACH RD
Internment
with Military Honors will take place at the graveside service at Fort
Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to TMI Gardening Fund, 20955 West Tejas Trail,
San Antonio, TX 78257, 210-698-7171.
