Rodney L. Herold

Rodney L. Herold

Rodney Herold, 63, passed peacefully at home in Snohomish, WA on June 4, 2011 surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Gilmer, TX, Rod graduated from Dunlap High in Illinois in 1965 and attended Kilgore Jr. College in Texas in 1965.
In 1966, Rod joined the Navy and spent his four year tour bravely serving in Vietnam assigned to ships and river boats. Returning home he continued his education, getting a degree in Electrical Engineering at Long Beach State in CA.
Rod spent most of his career employed by the government working as a civilian engineer for the Navy, starting as an engineer at Long Beach Naval Station in Long Beach, CA, until its closure in 1994. He then moved to Everett, WA and continued work on ships some of which were the USS Ford, USS Shoup and USS Momsen. He was still employed at the time of his death as Port Engineer on the USS Abraham Lincoln at the Bremerton Naval Station.
Rod made many acquaintances and friends through the years while working as an engineer. He enjoyed the time he had with each of them, very much.
Rod loved living every moment of life. Two of Rod's passions were traveling and photography. He combined them throughout his life, documenting his many travels with pictures. His beloved sons laughingly remember the many times they had to pose for pictures over and over till "Dad got the shot he wanted".
Rod traveled the world, sharing it with his family whenever possible, taking his wife, Sue, on adventures of riding elephants in Thailand, fishing for halibut in Alaska, touring Tequila factories in Mexico, or just taking in the beauty of Banff Canada. More importantly, Rod loved to be with his family. He was our captain in planning all our family trips each year. He made each a new adventure, with fond memories that we will cherish forever.
Rod put up a strong fight against the cancer that took him, yet he never allowed it to steal his sense of humor or take away his positive attitude. His biggest regret was that he would not be around to see his beautiful granddaughters grow up.
Rod will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor, quick wit, love of camping and animals, his intelligence and his ability to make a "mean" margarita!
Rod is survived by his loving wife, Suzann Hart Herold; his beloved son, Ryan Herold and wife, Megan; beloved son, Aaron Herold; mother, Bonnie Herold; brothers, Mark and Kyle Herold; step children, Kristen, Kyle and Karyn, Venema and James Frunk; as well as his cherished granddaughters, Ashley Herold and Lilly and Ava Frunk.
Flowers gratefully declined in lieu of donations to the American Cancer Society.
A private family service will be held in Ashland, TX where Rod will be laid near his beloved grandparents, Effie and Gordon Riden.