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Rodney Ito Obituary
Age 61, passed away suddenly in his home August 25, 2020.
R2, as he was known, was a cancer warrior. He successfully fought two rounds of cancer, a brain tumor and duodenal cancer. After a 35 year IT and teaching career at ASU, R2 pursued many interests. He enjoyed music and played guitar, was a member of the Elks club and was a legacy VFW member. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and quad. He was a gun safety instructor and would spend time at the gun range perfecting his aim. Later as his health permitted he bought hundreds of pounds of bird seed and would watch the wildlife- birds, squirrels, even elk.
Rodney's most valued his relationship with family and friends. He invested much of his time and energy to maintaining and nurturing those relationships. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his mother Donna Ito, sister Leilani and her family, David his son by marriage and Theo his nephew by marriage. He is preceded in death by his father Rodney Sr, and Robin McCord, his wife of 17 years.
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Memories and Condolences
for Rodney Ito
Laurie Goldberg-Foreman
October 13, 2020
As a graduate student I worked with Rodney in the Social Science Computer Lab at ASU; he counseled me to Never turn my back on them, as they were "silicon-based life forms" and he and his core group of guy friends threw amazing parties. I ate my first artichoke at one of those Halloween bashes. And Rodney was an integral part of the Tom and Jerry festivities and the Public History Masters student Friday Happy Hours. Rodney and his mother, Donna, were exceptionally kind to me one Christmas when my flights to Juneau to visit my parents were cancelled due to weather, and I still have the set of holiday glassware that Mrs. Ito shared with me, as well as the pearl earrings and pearl ring and pearl bracelet, souvenirs of Rodney's visits to Hawaii to see family. He was an amazing guy. RIP.
Ursula Hummert
September 28, 2020
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Jim Lagnese
September 27, 2020
I had great sadness when I found out about Rodney’s passing last month. I had worked with Rod at ASU in the School of Life Sciences from April of 2014 until May of 2018 when Rod left for health reasons, but I had kept in touch with him since, visiting in the hospital, texts and phone calls and a visit he made to ASU last year. I got to know Rod a little bit and we are from the same generation and shared interests, like music, firearms/hunting and motorcycles and it was nice to find someone at work I could connect with that understood a lot of the same things culturally and otherwise. I had moved to Arizona in 2012 after 9 years in Iowa and before that from Long Island, it could be difficult to find genuine people to connect with. I really enjoyed Rod’s camaraderie, his wit and wisdom and I miss his advice and counsel at work and our discussions about anything as a friend and colleague. Rod is missed and I am thankful to have known him in some way. I am sorry for the loss and I extend my condolences to his family.
Tony Miller
September 21, 2020
God speed Rodney. Rest in peace.
September 21, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Tom Kane
September 21, 2020
I will miss you Brother, I met Rodney in 1971 and our group of 4, Rodney , Larry.B , Tom.T and I became as Brothers. Each of our Parents were called Mom and Dad to us all. My Idea of Vacation was flying back from WashDC to Phoenix and hanging with Rodney & Larry. Rodney and I went to Hawaii in 2012 for O'bone Honoring his Father. When my Mom fell ill in 2014 I would stay with Rodney commuting back n forth from WashDC and when I retired in 2015 I lived with Rodney into 2016 resting up and dealing with my parents Estate. Rodney was a gracious host and very helpful. I will miss our talks & hanging out, till I too pass beyond life's veil.
David Robbins
September 21, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.RIP Rodney
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