June
28, 1932 - Dec. 17, 2008SOUTH BEND - Robert J. A. Roden, 76, of South Bend died at 3:47 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2008 in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Mr. Roden was born June 28, 1932 in South Bend to the late Henning and Elizabeth (Johnson) Roden and lived in and served the South Bend community all 76 years of his life. On August 21, 1954 in South Bend he married Janice M. Stellner with whom he shared the last 54 years. He leaves behind his loving wife, Jan; three daughters, Bethanne (Richard) George of Clarendon Hills, IL, Kimber (Richard) Green of Palatine, IL, and Julie (David) Deahl of Granger, IN; one son, John A. (Ginger) Roden of Bartlett, IL; six grandchildren, Jonathan, Kathryn, Jennifer, Jack, Joseph, and Jacob; one sister, Ann MacGregor of Mason City IA; numerous nieces and nephews; and his extended family in Sweden. Bob received a degree in engineering from Tri-State University, Angola, IN. He began his career with the Bendix Corp. retiring after 35 years as Director of Purchasing. During this time he earned his Master's degree from Indiana University and Penn State University. Not content to retire he later became CEO of a small business in Michigan. Then in 1990 he joined AM General as Purchasing Manager and Small Business Officer, responsible for compliance issues and government regulations as they pertained to contracts held by AM General. He was also past Chairman and most recently served on the board of the South Bend Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE). In addition to his numerous church roles, his philanthropic missions included his role on the board of the Women's Junior League and serving meals for the Hope Rescue Mission. The family would like to acknowledge the professional care of Dr. Jose Bufill and give many thanks to Debbie, Bob's ICU nurse at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, for making his last hours comfortable and peaceful. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, December 20, 2008 in Holy Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Timothy Knauff, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 7 p.m. today, December 19th in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home North, 17033 Cleveland Rd. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, General Fund, 51900 Mayflower Rd., South Bend, IN, 46628. Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at welshfh@yahoo.com.