Dr. F. Hase Rodenbaugh

Dr. F. Hase Rodenbaugh

Resident of Monte Sereno

1928 - 2011

Died in peace at his home in Monte Sereno, CA on Saturday November 26, 2011, of complications from pulmonary fibrosis. He was 83. Beloved husband of 60 years of Beryl Louise Rodenbaugh of Monte Sereno, California. Cherished father of Eric Rodenbaugh of Monte Sereno, California, Karl Rodenbaugh of Hermosa Beach, California, and Sally Buser of Santa Cruz, California. Much loved father-in-law of Brian Buser, and cherished grandfather of Brittany Buser, of Santa Cruz, California. Hase was very close with his three sisters Adele Vallarino, Charlotte Schaupp/Darwin, and Mary Carlson, and their spouses Tony Vallarino, John Schaupp/Dan Darwin and Karl Carlson - all of whom predeceased him. He is also survived by his many wonderful nephews and nieces and their children, all of whom he loved dearly and enjoyed visiting with over the past 40+ years on his favorite day - the annual Thanksgiving celebration near Healdsburg.

Hase was born in San Francisco on January 1, 1928, the youngest of four children, to Dr. Frederick Hase Rodenbaugh, Sr. and Charlotte Laflin Rodenbaugh. As an irascible and mischievous youth, he occasionally found himself at odds with the authorities and other neighborhood kids. Ultimately, he learned the value of brains over brawn - in large part from his three older sisters - and began to develop what became a defining lifelong trait, the ability to respond to almost any situation with an appropriate (or not) joke, story, or limerick. His mindful playfulness made the world a more interesting and loving place for all who knew him.

In 1945 he graduated from Lowell High School in San Francisco. He graduated with Great Distinction in 1949 from Stanford University, where he lettered in Water Polo. In 1953 he graduated from the School of Medicine at Stanford University. While at Stanford he met and married his loving wife Beryl.

He interned at San Francisco General Hospital, and in 1954 he continued training in his medical specialty of Internal Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. In 1957 the family moved back from Rochester to the Bay Area where Hase begin his medical practice at the San Jose Medical Clinic. During the Vietnam War he served 2 and ½ years active duty as a naval reserve officer. He completed training at Naval Submarine Base New London in 1966 and was the assigned as Medical Officer on the nuclear submarine USS Stonewall Jackson. While on patrol he was proud to earn his "Dolphins." In 1967 he became Chief Medical Officer of the Submarine Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Hase returned to the San Jose Medical Clinic in 1968 until 1974 when he left the clinic to open his own private practice. In 1991 he joined the medical staff at the Student Health Service at San Jose State University and worked until 2003. He was ever grateful for the opportunity to practice the art of good medicine in a humane way during what he considered to be the Golden Age of Medicine. He was also proud to say "I did the best that I could" for each and every one of his patients. The same determination he possessed as a physician to always do his best also made him a go-to-guy, coach and mentor to many friends and family members over the years.

Not one to stay idle after retirement, he joined and became a docent at the Academy of Science in San Francisco, and the Long Marine Laboratory in Santa Cruz. A life long learner, he enjoyed the docent training classes, and the opportunity to share his knowledge with the public.

Hase balanced his professional life with a joyful pursuit of a broad range of other interests. He was an avid hunter, a determined fly fisherman, a talented pilot, a savvy bridge player, a strong swimmer, a scuba diver, a tennis player, and voracious reader; sharing all of these activities with his wife and children. He experienced such diverse adventures as researching with his father in 1947 the effects of the nuclear bomb tests on Bikini Atoll, searching for the Loch Ness monster, attempting to raise the Bon Homme Richard, and luging the Cresta Run at St Moritz. Hase and Beryl travelled widely, hiking the Milford Track in New Zealand, diving in Mexico, Fiji and Hawaii, birding in Australia, and going on photo safari in Kenya. Despite his passion for adventure, it was the quiet (and occasionally spirited) socializing with his many friends, colleagues, and family that meant the most to him. He enjoyed years of fellowship with the other members of Little Learners, Quiet Birdmen San Jose Hanger SJC, and The Bohemian Club.

Hase was a loving husband, a caring father, a dependable brother, a fun-loving uncle, a loyal friend, an interesting companion, and a very cool sort of chap. He will be dearly missed, but fondly remembered by his loving family and many friends for his camaraderie, wit, and zest for life.

A celebration of his life will be held on January 8, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Saratoga Country Club, 21990 Prospect Rd., Saratoga, CA 95070. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to Hospice of the Valley or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.