Robert (Bob) Allen Rode had the good fortune of celebrating two milestones this past Monday, July 31. The first celebration was making it to his 98th birthday. The second was passing on to eternal life to be with God. Bob was born July 31, 1925, in Los Angeles. He was the youngest of 3 children. He had a brother, Harold, and a sister, Geraldine. Growing up in the depression, Bob’s dad, Theodore (Ted) kept busy as a carpenter in the Los Angeles area, always being able to provide for the family. His mom, Carolina (Lena) was a homemaker and always had an extra meal for a homeless person in need. In high school, right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Bob was a messenger courier during the California coast blackouts when there was fear of invasion from Japan.

Bob was drafted into the army in 1943. After initially training in the anti aircraft division, he was then transferred to infantry replacement. Bob served In Italy, initially arriving in Naples and eventually ended up in Florence as the war progressed. After the war, Bob finished out his enlistment at Fort Benning, Georgia, achieving the rank of sergeant.

After the war, Bob returned to Los Angeles and started working for Rode Brothers Hardwood Flooring, a company started by his uncles in 1930. He would go on to spend the rest of his career working at Rode Brothers.

Bob met Carolyn Ellen Ferree at Hollywood Lutheran Church. They had known each other prior to the war, but started to spend more time together in 1947, upon his return from the army. They were married October 21, 1949 and had three kids; Ellen, Allen and Thom and lived in the San Fernando Valley until 1981. In 1981, Bob took an early retirement so that he and Carolyn could buy their five acre mini-farm in Hydesville and fulfill their lifelong dream of “country living.” They raised a couple of cows, chickens, eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit trees. They truly enjoyed the cooler climate and rural lifestyle. Carolyn passed away from cancer on October 29, 1984. Bob married Carol Dillingham on January 16, 1988. Bob and Carol lived at the Hydesville mini-farm and enjoyed spending time with their kids, grandkids and great grandkids until his passing.

Bob is preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn, parents, Ted and Lena, siblings Harold and Geraldine and inlaws Royal and Jewell Ferree and Harriet Ferree. He is survived by his second wife Carol, his children, Ellen, Allen and Thom, stepchildren Sherry, Rochelle, Arlene and Bob, grandchildren, Jason, Gregg, Joshua, Jessica, Karin, Jenny, Eric, Russell, Valerie, Ashleigh, Kyle,Dean, Emily and Sarah. Great grandchildren, Jazmin, Sybastian, Ruan, Royal, Johnnie Joe, Jericho, Zephaniah, Henry, Joann(Jo Jo), Matthew, Reed, Quinn, Jack, Zane, Calvin, Tyler, Tobie, Taylor, Luke, Jackson, Caroline, Jasper, Ryan, Nathan, Selah, and Liam-Jean. Bob is also survived by nieces Judy and Kathleen and nephews Jim and John. Bob loved his family and they loved him; he was the ultimate family man.

A graveside service will be held at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna on Friday, August 11 at 2 p.m. A reception will immediately follow at the Hydesville Community Church.