Michael Francis Dodd Sr.

Michael Francis Dodd, (Mike) of Columbus, Oh, passed peacefully at home on October 8th. Mike was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, a veteran, and retired insurance executive. His life was marked by service and professional excellence, but most importantly, by his faith and deep commitment to cherished family and friends.
Born to John and Alice (Blair) Dodd in 1938, he was one of four sons. Mike attended Immaculate Conception grade school, graduated from Aquinas College High School in 1956 and went on to earn his degree in Finance from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend. He served his country for six years in the Army Reserve and the Ohio National Guard, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant with the 1st Battalion 136th Artillery Regiment, where he was recognized as a rifle marksman. He received an honorable discharge in 1966.
Mike married Sue (Diltz) Dodd in 1970, his beloved wife of nearly 50 years, who preceded him in death in 2020. Mike and Sue were blessed with five children, Michael, Kevin, Paige, Brian, and Patrick.
Mike had a distinguished career at State Auto Mutual Insurance Company, steadily rising among the ranks to serve in many leadership and executive roles over four decades. He achieved and was awarded many certificates and honors, including completing the Advanced Insurance Management Seminar at The Ohio State University in 1973 and earning his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (C.P.C.U.) designation in 1980. After 42 years, Mike retired from State Auto in 2001 as Senior Vice President and Director of Claims. He served on the Boards of the Boys and Girls Club, State Auto Mutual and State Auto Property & Casualty Insurance for several years.
Through the years, Mike and Sue were blessed to travel extensively, visiting almost every continent, making great memories with their State Auto friends and colleagues.
Mike and Sue were life-long parishioners of Saint Timothy's where they sent all five of their kids. Mike served his parish well over the years, coaching baseball in the early years, volunteering for over 20 years at the annual festival, setting up, tearing down and dealing poker and blackjack, he was a member of the Men's Club and loved making pizzas and subs for the fundraisers, and he contributed generously to St. Tim's as the years went on.
Mike loved golf. He loved to play golf, watch golf and talk about golf. He and Sue were members at several golf clubs over the years, including Delaware, Dornoch, Kinsale, Worthington Hills, and Forest Glenn in Naples, Fla. Dad boasted not one but two holes-in-one, including on the 120-yard 7th hole at Forest Glenn and on the 153-yard 4th hole at Blackhawk. He loved to tell golf stories, especially about the amazing places he was blessed to play which included the Augusta National Golf Club, Pinehurst No. 2 at Pinehurst Resort, Greenbrier, Pebble Beach, Muirfield Village, the Old Course at Ballybunion in Ireland, and the famous St. Andrews Links in Scotland, among many, many others.
Mike loved to watch and talk about sports with his sons and son-in-law, being especially loyal to the Fighting Irish, the Buckeyes, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Cleveland Browns and Guardians. Mike was an avid reader and enjoyed being able to walk to the library from his condo in the Verena of Hilliard to get books whenever he wanted. He always looked forward to weekly dinners at the Worthington Hills Country Club with his dear friends Pattie and Stan, where they would share stories about kids and grandkids, and favorite memories of their "better-halves".
Mike lived a full and blessed life and he will be dearly missed by many. He is survived by his children Paige (Brad) Ryan, Brian (Emily) Dodd, and Patrick (Briana Dodd), grandchildren Samantha (Frank) Fluharty, Kacie (Hunter) Mastronardi, Sydney and Sarah Ryan, Charlotte Dodd and great grandson Wylie Mastronardi, and many dear family members and close friends, especially Pattie Borg and Stan Ickus. He is preceded in death by wife Sue (Diltz), sons Michael and Kevin, grandson Bryson, brothers Tom, John and Jim, and first wife, Judy (McGreevy) Dodd.
Mike will be remembered by many for his integrity, wisdom, and unwavering devotion to faith and family. His legacy lives on in his children and grandchildren, the lives he touched, the values he instilled, and the love he gave so freely. Mike and Sue gave generously to many causes that were close their hearts. To honor a life well-lived, in lieu of flowers, please share a little extra with the charity of your choice.
Calling hours: 4-7 p.m., Thursday, October 16th, Egan-Ryan Northwest Chapel, 4661 Kenny Road. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m., Friday, October 17, St. Timothy Church, 1088 Thomas Lane; procession to Saint Joseph Cemetery.