Emory Rhodes Rodgers' Obituary
Emory Rhodes “Rhody” Rodgers, 75, of Spotsylvania, passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at his home. He was born December 15, 1942 in Winchester, Virginia to the late Emory Otterbein and Dorthea Cecile Polhamus Rodgers.
He graduated in 1960 from James Wood High School, Winchester, VA. Emory served in the Army from 1961-1964. He received his Political Science degree in 1968 from Bridgewater College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Government at the University of Maryland in 1970.
His career started with Arlington County Government in 1970 where he held several positions until becoming Inspection Services Division Chief/Building Official in 1978 and retired in February 2000. He consulted in the code field until accepting a position with the State of Virginia as Deputy Director, Building & Fire Regulation; Division of Housing and Community Development in 2004 until his retirement in 2015. After retirement he continued to volunteer many hours developing the 2018 International Building Code. Among his peers he was known for his “rambling Emorygrams” and mentoring.
Emory has been honored and received awards too numerous to mention; many the most highly decorated in his field. He served on the boards for the Building and Code Administrators, Code Council of American Building Officials, Virginia Building Officials & Code Administrators, and National Institute of Building Sciences, many of which he also served as president. He has served tirelessly to assure safety in the building industry.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Lucinda “Cindy” Joy. They have enjoyed travelling the world visiting Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Hong Kong, and most of the United States but most loved being on a beach anywhere. He is also survived by his children Julee Rodgers Clerkin (Jason) of Middleton Co Cork, Ireland, Danielle E. Rodgers, of Richmond, VA, Michael S. McArthur (Tiffany) and Jennifer J. Lawrence (Brett), all of Bay City TX. He was a loving and goofy papa to Cameron, Freya, Violet, Emory, Tylar, Garrison, Darren, Makenzie and Britney. He is also survived by his brothers Carlin Rodgers, Lewis Rodgers (Roxanne) and sister Kay Attleson (Dave), many nieces and nephews…and Peca his beloved cockatiel.
Emory, your crazy sense of humor and wise advice will be missed by many. Your legacy will live on in all those who love and respect you.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Monday, March 12, 2018 at Found & Sons Funeral Chapel, 10719 Courthouse Rd. Fredericksburg. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, on Tuesday, March 13, 2018 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the International Code Council Foundation, 4051 Flossmoor Rd. Country Club Hills, IL 60478, American Cancer Society or Mary Washington Hospice, 2300 Fall Hill Ave. Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
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