Harold Rodger Danielson

1938 - 2025

Harold Rodger Danielson

October 31, 1938 - January 4, 2025

It is with deep sadness that we announced the passing of Harold "Rodger" Danielson of Millersburg, Oregon on January 4, 2025.

Rodger and his twin sister Lynnea were born in Redding, California to Harold and Mildred Danielson. In his youth, the family lived in Redding, California, then moved to Eureka, Bolinas and finally to Larkspur, California in 1947 where he graduated from Sir Francis Drake High School in 1956.

Rodger started college at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. He transferred to Montana State University, graduating with a BA in Botany in 1961. While at Missoula, Rodger met Nancy Gilroy, who he married on August 20, 1961.

The couple moved to Sacramento where Rodger began work with the California Department of Agriculture as a seed analyst. Their first two children were born during this time, Teri, born in 1963 and Amy, born in 1965. In 1966, Rodger and Nancy built their first home in the Sacramento.

Debi was born in 1968, just as Rodger accepted a position as a Germination Supervisor at Oregon State University. In 1969, they bought a home on Oak Dell Place, where they would live for almost 50 years. In 1973 Rodger obtained his Masters Degree in Seed Technology and was promoted to assistant director of the Oregon State Seed Lab. In 1980, he became the seed lab manager.

During his tenure at OSU, Rodger taught courses in the Crop Science Department, advised students, worked with the Crop Science Club, coached crop judging teams and accompanied them to contests in Chicago and Kansas City. He received the Crop Science Outstanding Teacher Award in 1977. Rodger conducted a variety of research projects and published numerous articles throughout his career. He was very active in his national organization, Association of Official Seed Analysts. He served as president of that organization in 1984 and was a member of their executive board for five years. He gained the associations certification of expertise in both purity and germination in 1985 in 1992. Rodger was awarded AOSA's award of merit for his service to the association. Rodger retired in 1996.

After retirement, Rodger and Nancy traveled to Norway and Sweden to visit the family farm of the Bjellands' (Danielson), Hvalls' and Gustafson's. Rodger and Nancy also took many trips around the U.S. gathering information to add to their genealogy documentation.

Rodger's interests included many outdoor activities, as well as volunteer opportunities. Early on, he enjoyed yearly fishing trips with his Dad into the Marble Mountain primitive area in Northern California. After moving to Oregon, he looked forward to yearly camping trips with friends and family to the Trout Creek Area. He developed an interest in horses and brought them on some of his on Elk hunting trips in North Eastern Oregon. Rodger enjoyed barbecuing and conducted chicken barbecues for the Crop Science Department for many years. He joined the Benton County/ Mary's Peak Search and Rescue and became a special deputy with the Benton County sheriffs department. He was a longtime member of Corvallis Elks. He also enjoyed delivering Meals on Wheels and working with Kiwanis Club.

In 2015, they moved to Millersburg, where they lived until Rodger's death. During those 10 years, he was an incredible caregiver for our mother after her stroke. Rodger was hospitalized in Albany shortly before his death and he passed away at Evergreen Hospice with his family at his side.

Many great memories will be cherished by his wife, daughters, and extended family of time spent together during holidays, family reunions, camping trips, crabbing adventures, trips to Depot Bay and of the countless "wine times" the last few years where we enjoyed listening to him recap stories from the past.

Rodger is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Teri, Amy (Evan) and Debi, four grandchildren, two great grandchildren, sister Barbara Jean Menzel and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Celebration of Rodger's Life at the Corvallis Elks lodge,1400 NW 9th St, Corvallis, OR on Feb 1st at 4:00 p.m.