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Charles Roden Obituary
Charles was born Nov. 15, 1933, in Bynum, Texas, to Hugh and Ruby Johnson Roden. He graduated from Bynum High school in 1950 and Texas A&M in 1956 with a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. After college graduation, he spent 11 years in the army reserves. In 1961, Charles married his beloved wife of 50 years, Mary Lynn Adams. He went into private practice in 1967 and eventually became president of Roden & Associates Consulting Engineers in Waco. He was a part of numerous developments in the Waco and McLennan County area. Charles was active in local scouting, and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Waco.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Hugh Wilkes Roden Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn of Waco; sons, Curtis and wife, Heather, of Belton, and Jeff of Ovalo; two brothers, Jim Roden of Greeley, Colo., and Mac Roden and wife, Wanda, of Magnolia, Texas; four grandchildren, Todd andTyler, and Will and Latham and their mother, Lanita; and one great-grandson, Todd Jr.
The family invites you to leave messages and memories at www.gracegardensfh.com.
November 15, 1933 - August 31, 2011
Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Charles Roden
3 Entries
Hubert R. Schmid USAR
September 2, 2011
Charles Roden was my Platoon Leader in the 873 Engineer Unit here in Waco. On a particular annual two week active duty period at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, we were given a project to make a mix of asphalt to pave a section of degraded pavement adjacent to post headquarters. After the bad section had been removed and the base made ready, we prepared the mix. The temperature of the mix is critical, and we did not have enough material for another. The temperature was within specifications per the army engineer manual. For some reason, the Post Engineers wanted it several degrees higher. Knowing this, Lt. Roden grabbed the thermometer and with the Post Engineer went to the dump truck and measured the temperature of the asphalt mix in its bed. Looking at the thermometer, the engineer proclaimed the mix OK. We proceeded, and the road repair turned out perfect. I questioned the Lt. later on on how this was accomplished. He replied that red fingernail polish makes a believeable mark on a glass thermometer.
SFC Hubert R. Schmid USAR
September 2, 2011
I met Charles Roden when he was a Lt. in the 873 Army Engineer Unit here in Waco in the 1950's. While on two week active duty at Ft. Polk, Louisiana, we had to spend several days and nights in the field performing tactical drills. The first night was particularly miserable as it rained and drizzled all night. I was Platoon Sgt. of his Construction Platoon and had scrounged some bread, peanut butter, mayonaise, and bologna from Sgt. Barak, the Mess Sgt.. The Section Sgt.'s Raymond Haigood, Candelario Fuentes, J.W. Lewis and myself had chipped in to buy cold drinks. Each started making sandwiches and passing them out to their troops after dark because the evening chow had been messed up by rain. About the middle of the evening, Capt. Mabry summoned his three Platoon Leaders to his tent for them to report to him on the morale of their men. The reports of the other two were rather negative due to the weather and the condition of the chow. Lt. Roden reported "Sir, my men are fine, they are having sodas and eating peanut butter sandwiches." To which Capt. replied, Lt. Roden, I am serious, how are your men doing?" Returning to our jeep, Roden stated that he didn't think the Captain ever believed his report on the morale of his men.
Betty Crook
September 1, 2011
I dealt with Mr. Roden for years. His deed calls and drawings were easy to understand while I read documents. What better can one say about a surveyor? He will be missed. -- Betty R. Crook at Baylor
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