Rod, 82, died July 19, 2023, in Woodburn, Oregon. He was born in Independence, Iowa, and grew up in central Minnesota. Rod was director of Forestry for the Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources and later commissioner 1991-99. He then was director of Idaho Fish and Game and executive director of the Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Authority. The current Minnesota DNR commissioner said, "Rod was a dedicated conservationist and public servant. As commissioner, he earned a national reputation for his leadership on natural resources issues." Rod jumped at Missoula during the 1965 season.