James Berton Rhoads

1928 - 2015

DR. JAMES BERTON RHOADS SR. Dr. James Berton "Bert" Rhoads, Sr. passed away April 7, 2015 at the Twin Oaks nursing care facility in Leavenworth, KS. A visitation will be held 10:00 - 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 10, 2015 at Vaughn Funeral Home in Weston, MO; followed by an 11:00 a.m. funeral service. Interment will follow at the Platte City Cemetery, Platte City, MO. The family suggests contributions be given to: James B. & Angela Rhoads Archival Scholarship Fund, c/o Western Washington University Foundation. Bert was born September 17, 1928 in Sioux City, IA to James Harrison and Mary Agnes (Keenan) Rhoads. His father was a minister, and the family moved around to many areas throughout Bert's early life. He attended Southwestern Jr. College, 1946-47, and Union College, Lincoln, NE, 1947-48. Bert then earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree, 1950; Master's Degree, 1952; from the University of California, Berkley. He later earned his PhD from American University in 1965. Bert married Sadie Angela Handy on August 12, 1947 in Lincoln, NE. He was the Archivist of the United States with the General Services Administration-National Archives and Records Service, Washington, D.C., 1952-79. He was member of the National Archives Trust Fund Board, 1968-79; Chairman of National Historical Publications and Records Commission, 1968-79; member of Federal Council on Arts and Humanities, 1970-79; President of Rhodes Associates International, 1980-84; Director of Graduate Program in Archives and Records Management, Western Washington University, Bellingham, 1984-94; Professor Emeritus, 1994-present; Trustee for Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 1969-79; and Vice President of Intergovernmental Council, UNESCO Info. Program, 1977-79; Bert was the recipient of the Meritorious and Distinguished Service awards from the General Services Administration, 1966, 68, and 79; President of Fellow Society American Archivists, 1974-75; President of International Council, Archives 1976-79; and President of Academic Certified Archivists, 1992-94. Throughout his career as U.S. Archivist, Bert played a key role in establishing the Truman Library in Independence, MO; as well as the Johnson and Kennedy Libraries. He served throughout four presidential administrations. Bert was awarded the distinction of Kentucky Colonel by the state's governor, in 1979. Bert was preceded in death by: his parents; his wife, Angela; a daughter Marcia Rhoads MacKellar; and a brother Gayle Elwood Rhoads. He is survived by: his son James Berton Rhoads Jr., and wife Elizabeth of Brandenburg, KY; his daughter Cynthia Rhoads Neven, and husband Christopher of Weston, MO; his brother Donald Harrison Rhoads, and wife Jean of Bloomington, IN; 7 grandchildren; and 3 great grandchildren. Arrangements By: Vaughn Funeral Home—Weston, MO—Ph. 816-386-2281. www.vaughnfuneralhomes.com