Rodney Younge
Friday, January 22, 1926
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Age:
90 years old
Visitation
Date: Thursday January 28, 2016
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Party and Celebration
Date: Saturday January 30, 2016
Time: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Location: Rochester Country Club [ view map ]
Private Family Burial
Frankford Cemetery - Rural Spring Valley
Friday, January 22, 1926
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Age:
90 years old
Friday, January 22, 1926
Date of Death:
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Age:
90 years old
Rodney Younge
A Visitation for Rodney Younge will be held Thursday January 28th from 4-8pm at the River Park Chapel, Macken Funeral Home. A private family service and burial at the Frankford Cemetery near Spring Valley will take place Friday morning. Rodney has requested a grand party celebrating his life be held upon his passing, and all who know of him are welcome to join his family Saturday January 30th from 4-8pm at the Rochester Golf and Country Club, and please bring your ‘RA’ stories to share.
Rodney was born January 22, 1926 and lived a full and diverse life culminating with his 90th birthday this past Friday. Life started for him on a small farm just outside of Spring Valley with his father and mother, three sisters and a brother, and this is no doubt where he learned his strong work ethic that served him well throughout the balance of his life. He was a self-made man first serving his country during World War II and then moving ever upward in his business endeavors ultimately becoming a well-respected and very successful residential developer and businessman in the Rochester area.
Rodney was also very proud of his family and leaves behind three children, Jerry, Penny, and Michael, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. Their numbers include a child psychologist, a textile designer, a restaurant entrepreneur, a Mayo Clinic researcher, an electrical engineer and mathematician, a performing artist, a business man and actuary, and a nuclear medicine and physics specialist, all living in locations throughout the country but having roots here in Rochester…. and that little farm near Spring Valley.
One of Rodney’s greatest loves in life beyond his businesses and family was working on projects or simply relaxing at his Island home on Lake Vermilion. He could be found during the summer months on his Bobcat inspecting his vegetable, berry, and flower gardens, or simply sitting at his breakfast table with coffee looking out across Big Bay and enjoying the varieties of birds visiting his feeders.
We miss you, and will hold your memory in our hearts.
Macken Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences are welcome at mackenfuneralhome.com
Condolences
The family of Rodney Younge has received the following condolences.
Rest in Peace Rodney. My father and Rodney were quite close, I have known Rodney for many years, he will be dearly missed. My condolences go out to his family. Joe Powers
Rod was one of a kind person, with a big heart under a sometimes gruff exterior. As a fairly new Realtor, I called on Rod many years ago with an offer on one his lots in Baihly that was not ideal and indeed a somewhat difficult lot to sell. We made what was a "low ball" offer that he scoffed at but nonetheless invited up to his condo in High Point to review it. After seeing I was a bit nervous and few cocktails later we came to a deal and I ended up his friend and sold many more lots for Rod. He indeed did not have to sell that lot, but helped to get me moving off my but on a whole slew of lots he owned and we shared many times with laughs including him taking myself and banker Dave Wittenberg on a 40 Mph drive through a corn field now called Meadow Lakes....I could go on, and on....but, Rod was colorful, memorable and got things done. He will be missed. Tom Meilander
My sympathies and thoughts are with Jerry, Penny, & Mike. I attended tonight's gathering at Macken and was really touched by the wonderful blown up photos of Rod, his family and friends. For me it was bittersweet, as it brought back old memories of my dad, Rodney's best friend, and the fun I had growing up with the Younge family. Precious times hunting, fishing,holidays-- lots of hard work and many laughs. Rodney gave me my first job at eight years old, as his helper. Some of my fondest memories of Rod involve his taking the time to teach me how to do a job the right way. He actually enjoyed teaching me and his praise meant a lot. When I think of Rod, number one- you wanted him on your side. Rodney was tough, but I was privy to his gentler side. More than anything I will remember Rod's great sense of humor. I can still see him with his corncob pipe and blue knit hat- scrambling behind the wheel of his pickup "old blue," trying to dodge the oncoming traffic after turning the wrong way on a one way street--this happened a lot! He would usually laugh and admit to having too much on his mind. Well, if anyone deserves to rest and be freed of having too much on their mind...it's Rodney. You will be missed and never forgotten.
Sympathies from our family to yours. I worked with Rodney for years, both as a carpet installer and I did some carpentry work at the high rise for him. We went fishing for salmon in Wisconsin, went hunting near Yucatan; he was a good guy, a good friend, and he will be missed.
Dear Grandpa,
You are with your mother and brother now, just like you knew you would be soon. I'll be sure to tell all of our best stories over the next few days as the many people who loved you come together to honor your life. The memory I'm treasuring tonight is the night we were all sitting around the table at the island and you were telling stories from the war. I'll never forget it. More recently you got such a kick out of the fireworks we woke you up to see on the 4th of July. You were never one to want to miss out on anything. Cheers to you Grandpa. We love you and miss you already.
Love,
Sara