Kenneth Gene Rodewald, age 89, passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on April 11, 2024 in Ft. Wayne, IN. He was peacefully surrounded by his loving wife, Athena (Tina) and family when he departed this earth.
Son of Anna (Shupp) and Arthur John Rodewald, Ken was born April 16, 1934, in Ft. Wayne, IN. He will be always remembered by the love of his life, his wife, Athena (Tina) of forty-eight years, his three daughters, Beth Garber (Dave), Elyce Rodewald (Mike Bates), and Gretchen Harvey (Jim); his four stepsons; Dave Sholl (Susan), Dan Sholl (Penny), Mark Sholl (Celeste), and Steve Sholl (Connie); as well as 17 grandchildren; Anna, Rebecca, Emily, Seth, Jim, Keith, Cassandra, Taylor, Mallory, Helaina, Adam, Emily, Jesse, Carrie, Abby, Ashley, Chelsey, and Bailianna; and by 41 great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife, Nancy (Krewson), of 19 years, and his parents; Arthur John and Anna (Shupp) Rodewald; by his brother, Stanley Joseph Rodewald; daughter-in-law, Nancy Sholl; and by his beloved grandson, Keith Harvey; and by his loving granddaughters, Robin Harvey, and Amelia Sholl.
Ken's love of golf began as a young child, and at age nine, he was involved in the City Golf Tournament. Ken was a CLU for Lincoln Life Insurance for fifty years. He was a distinguished member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He and Athena attended St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in Ft. Wayne, and attended St. Armands Key Lutheran Church in Sarasota, FL. Ken's lifelong mission was loving people and building and maintaining friendships. Ken did this through his passionate love of the game of golf. Ken was a graduate of Southside High School and attended MSU on a golf scholarship. After graduation, he started the Golf program at SSHS. He went on to win the Ft. Wayne City Golf Championship in 1952, and was runner up three times. He was a 65-year member and past president of the ORCC. He was club champion eleven years. Over his lifetime of golf, he had the amazing accomplishment of eleven holes in one, nine at ORCC. He holds the record low score for nine holes at ORCC of 29. Ken had the privilege of playing with many golf celebrities, including Sam Snead, in which they lost the match by one stroke.
Ken held many honorable titles. He was inducted into the Fort Wayne Golf Hall of Fame. Ken was very active for several years, including being president, of the Mad Anthony Golf Tournament. Ken was president of the Hoosier Celebrity Club, president of the MSU Alumni Club, president of the Macedonian Golf Club, president of the Friers, and president of St. Nicholas E. Orthodox Cathedral.
Ken and Tina were fortunate to winter in Sarasota, Florida for the last twenty years. He was the starter at Long Boat Key Country Club. Ken loved working at Long Boat Key and they adored him. In the summers, Ken worked in Ft. Wayne at Foster Park Golf Course. It was a true joy in his life.
Needless to say, "Kenny" cherished the game of golf and used that to build so many lifelong relationships with friends. Kenny dearly loved his family and made a point to tell them that he loved and appreciated them as often as possible. His family will remember him most for his charming, witty personality, and his compassion for others. His family wishes that we may laugh and reminisce, and smile and grieve together during this time.
Visitation for Ken will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm with Trisagion prayers at 7pm at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, and the funeral will be held, April 19, 2024 at 10 am with visitation one hour prior also at the church.
In his memory, donations may be made to St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral, 3535 Crescent Ave., Ft. Wayne, IN 46805. Burial will take place at Greenlawn Memorial Park. Arrangements entrusted to FairHaven Funeral Home.