Daniel Roddy

1953 - 2016

Daniel Mark Roddy

Great Falls —Daniel Mark Roddy died on January 16th following a short battle with an aggressive cancer. He was 62. Except for the years spent pursuing his education and beginning his agronomist career, Dan lived the majority of his life on the Roddy farm east of Fort Benton. He was the third generation of his family to reside on the 1917 homestead.

Born to Cecil and Patricia Roddy in 1953, Dan was the second eldest of four siblings. His education began at West Wayside, a one room school several miles from the family farm. He graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1971, went on to receive an undergraduate Liberal Arts degree from St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and thereafter a Master's degree of Agronomy from Montana State University.

Dan spent his entire adult life expanding his education in agronomy through consulting with a network of progressive farmers as well as farming himself. His influences and leadership will provide long lasting effects to a large group of friends and associates around the state of Montana and beyond. The good friendships he formed with long standing clients were important and extremely gratifying for him, and represented a huge component of his life. He was a great thinker, mentor, and communicator, always welcoming challenges and providing creative solutions.

On a more personal level, Dan embraced life to the fullest. He loved living in a rural place that supported his passion for agriculture with strong ties to his family's history. Most of all, he loved working in collaboration with his son on their personal farming efforts.

Dan is survived by his partner Shelly Heilweil, his son Marcus, three siblings, Jan, Shayla and Dave, and a myriad of relatives and friends, all of whom know how much they loved Dan and will miss him—for his radiant smile, affability, and for the all too short time he shared with them.

A private family service will be held later in the spring. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family requests donations sent to The Benefis Health System Foundation, supporter of Peace Hospice and the Gift of Life Housing Centers in Great Falls.