Rodney Keith Smith

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Rodney (Rod) Keith Smith — husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend — on October 7, 2025.

Rod was born on February 24, 1939, to Robert and Florence (Shireman) Smith in Middletown, Pennsylvania, where he grew up with his beloved older brother Robert (Bobby). A 1957 graduate of Middletown High School, Rod was class president and a member of the basketball team. He went on to earn an associate degree from Penn State in 1960, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Lafayette College in 1972.

Rod began his career with the Federal Aviation Administration in Roanoke, Virginia, before transferring to the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Airport in Pennsylvania. He and Virginia (Ginny) Hanich married in June 1960 and raised five children. In 1973, the family moved from Orefield, Pennsylvania, to Sterling, Virginia, where Rod worked at the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center in Leesburg, Virginia, until his retirement in 1995, after 35 years of service.

Rod married Margaret (Marge) Polend in September 1990 with whom he celebrated 35 years of marriage. Together they made their homes in Leesburg and Paeonian Springs, Virginia, Martinsburg, West Virginia and Lovettsville, Virginia; as well as a vacation home in Davenport, Florida.

Self-reliant and resourceful, Rod learned skills to care for his family’s needs from plumbing and electrical and carpentry work to gardening to car repairs.

Rod was a sports enthusiast. He coached youth baseball, was treasurer of the Orefield Athletic Association and cheered on his grandchildren at various sporting events. He was a long time fan of the Washington Nationals and Washington Commanders and was most devoted to his Penn
State Nittany Lions, donning the blue and white year-round and traveling to Beaver Stadium for games whenever possible. Rod was an avid bowler and tennis player in his younger years and spent much time chasing that little white ball on the golf course in his later years.

Rod loved camping and owned several RVs throughout the years. He enjoyed year round camping in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, summers at Myrtle Beach and winters in Davenport, Florida. Rod and Marge liked to travel when not using their RV.

Rod will be remembered as a quiet and hardworking man who supported his family. His example instilled in his children the values of a strong work ethic, curiosity and reliability.

Rod is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Florence Smith; his brother, Robert Smith, Jr.; and his step-granddaughter, Nicolette Polend. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Smith; his ex-wife, Virginia Hanich Smith; his children, Michael (Anne), Jeffrey (Christina), Kathleen Croson
(Gary), Thomas, and Julie Badura (Randy); his stepchildren, Gregory Polend and Denise Fatz; 21 grandchildren (plus seven grandchildren-in-law); 11 great-grandchildren with one on the way; two nephews; one niece; and many other relatives and friends.

Rod’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Spring Arbor of Leesburg for the care Rod received, especially during his final days in The Cottage.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00–11:00 AM at Leesburg Presbyterian Church, 207 West Market Street, Leesburg, Virginia, followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial will take place immediately afterward at Union Cemetery, 323 North King Street with a reception at the church following the burial.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Care (hospice services) or the Alzheimer’s Association (to make an online donation, please select the Memorial Donation tab on the lefthand side of this page).