LTC Ronald Roy Rodeck, Chaplain US Army became one with our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ on July 26, 2023.
Born March 23, 1935, in Oak Park, IL to Paul E. Rodeck and Laverne A. Rodeck (Voss), sister Karen J. Rodeck (Danca).
Growing up, he attended St. Johns Lutheran School. He played basketball and sang in the choir, and later went on to attend preparatory school in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He spent his summers at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin as a lifeguard.
While at Concordia College in St. Louis, Missouri he received his theological degree while also serving in the National Guard reserves until commission in the US Army.
On October 24, 1959, he married Barbara J. Foster.
He became an Ordained Lutheran Minister in August 1961.
Paul P. Rodeck, the first son, was born on February 1, 1963.
He was Commissioned in the US Army on September 23, 1966, serving as a Lutheran Chaplain.
He served 2 tours in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and then again from 1970-1971. Highly decorated, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in action while serving with the 79th engineer group in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968. He was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism while serving with the 20th engineer brigade in the Republic of Vietnam in 1968 with 1st gold leaf in 1970, and 2nd gold leaf in 1974 for meritorious service.
He then received the Bronze Star Medal in 1968 which includes 1st oak leaf and was later rewarded with the 2nd and 3rd oak leaf in 1971 for ground operations against hostile forces and Heroism in ground combat. In addition, was awarded the Air Medal in 1968, 1970, and 1971 for Meritorious Achievement while participating in Aerial Flight in support of combat forces in the Republic of Vietnam.
He welcomed a daughter Amy A. Rodeck (Robb Armentrout), born January 6th, 1970.
He was stationed from 1971-1974 at Army Garrison, Heidelberg, Germany; 1975-1984 Fort Gordon, Augusta, Ga., South
Korea 1979-1980; 1984-1986 Fort Carson, CO.; where he retired from serving his country and the Lord on August 1, 1986.
In the year 1975, he welcomed a second son, Derek David Rodeck, and went on to earn a master’s degree in education, including Guidance and Counseling, and Sociology. From Long Island University.
From 1986-1987 he served as an interim Pastor for Peace Lutheran Church in Arvada CO
After retiring from the Army, he worked as a radio dispatcher for the Black Forest Fire/Rescue District Colorado Springs, Co. Then took a call to be the pastor at Shepherd of the Pines Lutheran Church in Payson, AZ, and Lutheran Family Services Chaplain in Lubbock and later retired in Lubbock, TX.
He has 4 granddaughters – Amanda L. Rowe, Temper M. Rodeck (Baggs), Kelly L. Armentrout, and Jordan R. Rodeck and 3 great-granddaughters, Remington Rodeck, Lakleighlynn Rodeck, and Bear Baggs.
In September 2016, he was chosen to participate in the Honor Flight to Washington DC to tour the Vietnam Wall and other National Monuments.
He loved the water of Lake Geneva, WI, his Criss Craft Boat, classic cars, car races, travel, the TV show MASH, and his childhood toys.
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