Obituary - Rod Rozier
November 17, 2013
William Roderick "Rod" Rozier (92) passed away at the Sublette Center on November 13th, 2013. Rod was born on May 29th, 1921 to Martin S. and Alma West Rozier in Cassatt, South Carolina. "Roddy" as he was fondly called by his family, graduated from Clemson College in 1942 and after Naval Flight Training in Florida he was commissioned as a Marine Aviator. He graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute with a Masters in Industrial Engineering in 1955 while serving in the Marine Corp.
Rod spent 25 years of military service specializing in helicopter operations, first as a pilot and then as a commanding officer of a helicopter squadron. He directed helicopter pilot training for all US Navy, Coast Guard and Marine servicemen, and was an executive officer of a Marine Air Group. He retired as a Lt Colonel after flying thousands of hours while serving in the World War II Asiatic Pacific campaign, the Korean War, Vietnam and various United Nations operations.
After retirement from the Marine Corp, Rod worked as a research specialist for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Van Nuys, California. Rod and his wife, Alice, moved into a life of outdoor activities in Utah where Rod fondly remembered learning to sailboard in his mid 70s. He moved to Pinedale in 2006 following his wife’s passing and was frequently seen riding his bicycle through town or playing badminton at the PAC. Every day he was passionate about remaining physically active, a kind reminder of his secret to healthy longevity.
Rod is survived by his daughter Annie (Jon) Rothschild of Pasadena, California; his son Rod Jr. (Leslie) Rozier of Pinedale, Wyoming and his granddaughter Sara Rozier Baker (Josh) and great granddaughters, Katlyn and Hollis Baker, and Hailey Buckley, all of Montana.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 58 years Alice (Flanner) Rozier, his daughter Ricky Rozier and his granddaughter Vanessa (Rozier) VanGarderen.
Lieutenant Colonel William Roderick Rozier will be interred at the Arlington National Cemetery in 2014. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Sublette Center Heritage Room on Tuesday November 19th between 2 and 4 pm for family and friends.
Memorial contributions can be directed to the Sublette Center, PO Box 788, Pinedale, WY 82941.
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