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Thomas Rodke Obituary
Las Cruces - It is with heavy heart to announce the passing of our beloved Thomas West Rodke. Tom's gregarious personality, open mind, and zest for life will truly be missed.
Thomas West Rodke, 65, of Las Cruces NM died May 21, 2020. He was born May 17, 1955 in Izmir Turkey near Istanbul to Larry Russell Rodke of Paoli OK and Florence "Diana" Rado West of Leonia NJ.
He was the 1st of 7 children of Larry Russell Rodke to apply for citizenship in the Chickasaw nation and encouraged and helped the rest of us to become Chickasaw citizens also.
Tom Rodke, like Tom Swift Jr, the fictional hero of his youth, was an Electrical Engineer and worked on space satellites and airplanes for Boeing, TRW, Lockheed Martin, and Rockwell Collins. He was a very active Ham Radio Operator with connections all over the world. He enjoyed playing the saxophone.
He loved to bake, especially pecan pies for close friends and brownies and Heffalump Rumple Doodle cookies with his daughter. He was a great dad and always tried to be there for her.
He was preceded in death by his older brothers Michael Rodke and David Rodke. He is survived by his daughter Montserrat Rodke and his former wife Maria de la Luz of Iowa City, IA; his younger brother Russell Rodke of Santa Fe, NM, his wife Molly and 2 sons John and Andrew; his younger sister Lisa Rodke of Brevard, NC, her life partner Nora Johnson and her son Kitrick; his younger brother Christopher Rodke of Jarratt, VA and his 4 daughters Anna, Erika, Angela and Raven; his younger sister Sita Sera Hirano of Las Vegas, NV, her husband Futoshi and 8 children, Daniel, David, Sisa, Taka, Grace, Sean, Raquel and Joy; his older brother David's wife Laura of San Antonio, TX and 3 daughters Claudia of El Paso, TX, Ana and Roxanne of San Antonio, TX.
The Mass of Intention for Tom will be held on Sunday, November 1, 2020, at the Basilica of San Albino Catholic Church, 2280 Calle Principal in Mesilla, New Mexico with a Spanish Mass at 8:00 am and an English Mass at 9:30 am, and an English Mass at 10:00 am at the Immaculate Heart of Mary located at 1240 S. Espina Street, Las Cruces, New Mexico.
To honor Tom's memory, a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2020. Please contact Rico Ramirez at [email protected] or Maria Legarreta at [email protected] for further details.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Rodke
Sponsored by LCsun-news.com.
BRIAN GABELMAN
October 4, 2022
Going on 2 years, I still miss my work mate since 1982 at TRW, marathon running partner, and my radio amateur friend Tom N6WLY ever after. Tom was brilliant and energetic and shared many great experiences with me. Brian Gabelman WD6GJE
Marcia L Isaacs
November 21, 2020
I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. May God provide comfort to his family.
Marcia Isaacs
November 21, 2020
It is with deep sympathy that I say, I am so sorry to learn about Tom's passing. He was a good man with a unique sense of humor. My prayers are with the family.
Caryl Bayles-Rodke and family
October 28, 2020
We loved you, we enjoyed the time you lived with us and all your pie crust. You just seemed to melt into our lives from day one and we will always miss you
Rita Gonzalez
October 22, 2020
Please accept our sympathy. Mr. Rodke had just started his first semester with DACC (Math Dept.). His students and colleagues are offering their condolences. He will be missed. Rita Gonzalez
Dolores Sala
October 20, 2020
Much sadness for the loss of this kind and caring guy. Tom was a NMSU Theta Chi Fraternity brother and I was a little sister. He always had a bright smile and was forever willing to lend a hand whether it be helping at the frat house or explaining calculus. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Kie L. SooHoo
October 20, 2020
Tom was a wonderful person I got to now at NMSU undergrad and also afterwards, working and also a room-mate in California. He was avid LA Lakers fan. I will miss him, I attended his wedding and he help tremendously with my wedding. God bless him
Danny Medina
October 17, 2020
I met Tom at IHM when their family initially moved to Las Cruces.
Always got along with him well.
Very nice and honest person.
May Tom Rest in Peace, he will be missed
Danny Medina
Steven Rodke
October 17, 2020
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
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