Bernard Rodee

For Bernard Rodee, the answer to the challenge of growing a lush lawn in suburban Marietta, Georgia's dense, red clay soil was obvious. A truckload of chicken manure, with its rich plant nutrients, was a perfect complement to the compacted clay. What Bernard hadn't reckoned on was the impact of Georgia's heat and humidity on the freshly laid manure or the resulting pungent aroma that would envelop the neighborhood for weeks as a result. Just one example of how Bernard Rodee's farm boy background would influence his choices throughout his life.

Born on August 19, 1933, Bernard Melbern Rodee was the sixth generation of Rodees to be born on the family farm in Canton, New York. The son of Bernard L. and Celia "Etta" (Aldous) Rodee, Bernard was the first boy born to the couple after eight girls. The excited doctor proclaimed, "She's a Boy!".

Bernard passed on July 30, 2026, just three weeks shy of his 93rd birthday.

Educated in a one-room schoolhouse across the street from the Rodee family farm, Bernard excelled at his studies and was active in sports and 4-H, when he was not busy helping out on the family farm. Even as a young boy, he assisted in feeding and milking cows, shoveling manure (how do you think he learned about the fertilizer properties?) and working the fields. After grade school, he attended Canton High School, where he competed in wrestling and football and participated in theater, while still working every day at the farm.

After high school, Bernard attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. His plans of becoming a veterinarian were waylaid by his colorblindness, and he left Cornell without obtaining his degree. After a four-year enlistment in the Air Force, Bernard returned to Cornell to complete his undergraduate degree.

Upon graduation from Cornell, Bernard began a career in agribusiness with The Upjohn Company. Over the next thirty-eight years, Bernard worked for Upjohn, its subsidiaries and successors in a series of roles and businesses that took him around the country, and even to different continents. An innovator and motivator, Bernard was awarded the WE Upjohn Award in 1980 in recognition of his leadership. He retired in 1991 from Monsanto, which had acquired the seed subsidiary where he worked.

Bernard's Christian faith was foundational. A lifelong Presbyterian, Bernard served as an Elder in various churches, headed the Session, taught Sunday school, and led and moderated various pastoral search committees. But his agricultural roots always called to him. He and his dear friend Dick Jackson, a retired pastor, planted and tended a vast vegetable garden where they were able to grow, harvest and donate over 2000 pounds of fresh vegetables to the Ministry of Community in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Like his father before him, Bernard was a proud Mason, holding many offices and eventually becoming a Worshipful Master. Service was important to Bernard and earning his Shriner's Jacket in recognition of the hundreds of miles he drove transporting children to the Chicago Shriner's Hospital was one of his proudest achievements.

Bernard is preceded in death by his parents and 8 of his 9 siblings and their spouses:, Jessie Manitta (Jerry), Barbara Laspina (Peter), Melba Rodee, Thelma Rodee, Marie Zeh (John), Elaine Nelson (Robert), Phyllis Varco (Peter) and William Rodee. His sister Janet Cook and his sister-in-law, Marilyn Rodee are still very much with us. Bernard absolutely adored his dozens of nieces, nephews.

Bernard was married for many years to Beatrice (Morrison) Rodee, and, with Beatrice, had and raised six children. After his marriage to Beatrice ended in 1977, he married Helen Kay Porter Wickman, with whom he lived for over 49 years, until his death. Bernard and Helen loved to travel, visiting many countries in Europe, South America, and the Middle East. They especially enjoyed their dogs which over the years came in all sizes-from Sophie, a Coton de Tulear, to the largest, Luke, an Irish Wolfhound.

In addition to Helen, Bernard is survived by his children: BL Rodee; Celia Rodee (Peter Cooper); John (Beth) Rodee; Melbern Rodee; Sylvia Rodee (Thomas Mitchell); and Nathan Rodee; and much loved stepchildren, Julie (Carl) Anderson; Jerry (Lori) Wickman; Jana Wickman; John (Janet) Wickman. Nothing gave Bernard as much joy as being a father--that is until he became a grandfather and more recently, a great grandfather. He took great pride in each of his grandchildren and spoke to many of them every week.

All are invited to join the Family in honoring and celebrating Bernard Melbern Rodee and a life well lived

Funeral and Burial

Saturday, August 15th

10 AM Visitation

11 AM Service

Brick Chapel Church and Cemetery

Canton, NY

Luncheon at the Saphead on the Rodee Farm following the service

Memorial Service

Saturday, August 29th

10 AM Visitation

11 AM Service

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Helen Street

Portage, MI

Luncheon Reception to follow the service

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernard Rodee's memory may be made to:

Shriner's Hospital for Children

or

Brick Chapel Cemetery Association, 5501 County Route 27, Canton, NY 13617

Please visit Bernard's memorial webpage to share condolences and memories with his family at https://www.Langelands.com