Dr. Robert E. Roddewig had a favorite expression - "Wow" - which he used whenever he was extremely pleased about something. Born June 1, 1926, he devoted his life to teaching American History, which he loved and so did his students at Grosse Pointe Parcells Middle School for 42 years. he passed away on April 20, 2011 after an extended struggle with Non-Hodgenkin's lymphoma. Hospice care at home helped so much with those final days. He was a good Christian man.
Bob was my dear husband for 24 years. He loved his two sons and my three children and grandchildren as well. He was a very kind man and would do anything he could to help his church, family and friends, or a stranger. He continued playing his clarinets at home during our marriage, harmonizing with big band CD's.
Bob was born in a small town in Iowa and took part playing clarinet and singing in a local band. He entered the Navy at the beginning of WW 2 as a radioman on the Missouri where he was present on deck for the signing of the Japanese surrender.
He attended the University of Iowa and during that time period occasionally played with the Lawrence Welk band and the Tommy Dorsey band which were highlights of his life. Big Band music was his favorite and I was delighted to offer his two Clarinets, 93 CD's and 24 cassettes to Charity Music in memory of Bob, knowing they would be put to good use to continue helping others. Charity Music is a much-needed and wonderful outlet that helps young people acquire assistance when needed and perhaps change their lives. What better memorial could we leave for Bob than that? "Wow"
