Rodney B.Mann

Rodney B. Mann passed away April 5, 2023 in Shelton, WA. He was 81 years young!

Rod’s family moved several times as he was growing up, from Wisconsin to Minnesota and back again. Rod graduated from high school in Grand Rapids, MN and entered college at Mankato State College for a short time. He joined the U.S. Air Force September 13, 1960, and went on to spend 23 years in the service of his country, retiring at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant, starting with basic training at Lackland AFB Texas. From there, he went on to Gunther AFB for laboratory training and then on to Duluth AFB where he met Char. Rod also spent his time in the Air Force in the Philippine Islands, Vietnam, Montana, Germany, Massachusetts, and ended his career back at Lackland AFB Texas, in the field of Nuclear Medicine. Rod then joined the Civilian work force at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA before moving to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Rod’s biggest achievement was establishment of a National Nuclear Medicine Training program that was nationally accredited for the U.S. Air Force and then time at Mercy Hospital where he achieved a number of important goals in his career. Of course his absolutely biggest goal was 60 years of marriage (of mostly wedded bliss) to his wife Char. Rod and Char raised two sons, Brian and Tim (Kris). Rod and Char were blessed with three granddaughters who were the ‘apples of his eyes!’ Grandpa and ‘his’ girls spent many happy hours shopping on their birthdays. He also had a number of hobbies including fishing, hunting, reading and taking care of his lawn to be sure it was the greenest in the neighborhood. His favorite activity in later years was volunteering with the Washington State Patrol during their training program in Shelton, WA and once was named volunteer of the year.

Rod touched the hearts of many during his 81 years and will be missed by many. Rod will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery at a later date. Please memorials to your local Food Bank or Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Shelton, WA.