Rod, 93, died May 4, 2023, in Boise. He was born April 16, 1930, in Denver, Colorado, where he grew up and graduated from East H.S. in 1948. He received his bachelor's in Physical Science from Colorado A & M in 1951. Rod was a 1st Lt. in the USAF for four years and flew jets and helicopters. He joined the Johnson Flying Service and had a long-time career in aviation flying many types of aircraft and helicopters while dropping everything from cargo and retardant to smokejumpers.

A landmark in Ro's career happened August 4, 1961, on the Higgins Ridge Fire on the Nez Perce N.F. Twenty jumpers took refuge on a rock pile when the fire blew up around 4:15 p.m. Out of nowhere appeared Rod in a Johnson Service Helicopter. He meticulously maneuvered the helicopter into a tight spot taking two jumpers out at a time. When the situation got worse, Rod flew four jumpers, two in cabin and two hanging on to the skids, to safety.

For his actions, Rod was awarded the North American Forest Service Medal for heroism and the Stanley-Hiller Pilot of the year award. Rod jumped at North Cascades 1951-53.