Rodney Washburn

1929 - 2022

Rodney Washburn
Rodney Harper Washburn died peacefully on February 13 at his home in Atherton, California, after a 2-year battle with cancer. Rod was born on November 10, 1929, in Washington, DC to Daniel W. and Edna Harper Washburn. His three older siblings Paul Washburn, Nancy Binkley and Emory Washburn have predeceased him.
In the early 1940s, the family moved to New Mexico and then later to California. After graduating from Sequoia High School in Redwood City, Rod joined the Air Force. Stationed in US-occupied Germany, Rod was part of the team that provided logistical support for the Berlin Airlift. After his service, Rod completed his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, then went on to take a law degree from Harvard Law School. Rod practiced law for a time in San Francisco, then spent most of his career with the US Postal Service.
Rod met his beloved wife of 50 years, Jane Elizabeth Caldwell, while working in San Francisco. They lived there until 1980, when they settled in Atherton. Rod and Jane were very active in the community, taking a special interest in the development of Atherton's Holbrook-Palmer Park. Rod was also active in the Civic Interest League, attended Atherton City Council meetings, and was head of the Friends of the Atherton Library. They also travelled extensively – Rod particularly liked to trace his family origins in England and Scotland. Jane passed away in 2013.
Later in life, Rod was blessed to have a family of live-in caregivers, Ana Hala'api'api, Miloni Tuitupou, and their son William Hala'api'api. In addition to helping with day-to-day tasks, they kept Rod active and enriched his life tremendously.
Rod had a voracious appetite for knowledge in all subjects, and especially liked to keep up with current events and the mercurial fortunes of Bay Area sports teams. His memory and storytelling abilities were legendary. No glassware on the table was safe from his energetic hand gestures.
Rod is survived by six nieces and nephews, numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews, and goddaughter Anne-Marie "Punky" Witt. Rod will be interred in a private ceremony next to his beloved Jane at the Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. There will be a public memorial at 11:00 AM Saturday, March 19, at the Main House in Holbrook-Palmer Park, Atherton. Contributions in Rod's name may be made to the Division of Rheumatology at UCSF, or to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.