What can you say? To try and pen words explaining life with Rod Ochs is like what they say about emails and texts. You just cannot adequately explain in detail the life and times with Rod. I would receive a phone call and Rod would say, “I’m bringing two guys over, could you have dinner ready in half an hour?” I would stomp out to the shop, grab hamburger meat, and cook spaghetti. Three hours later, Rod would show up. Or, half an hour later, Rod would show up. You just never knew, and you could never second guess because that was Rod. Coffee always made it right though and he would usually have some kind of dessert which was an apology. I can say Rod has seen me at my absolute best and absolute worse and still was a friend both to my husband and myself. Rod was truly one of very few people who would try to get me to expand my thinking on a subject, to learn better, be better, and do better. Life with Rod was like the classic Dickens’ Tale – “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Of all things, the best thing I think is knowing Rod does not have to go through what we all are going through right now with our wicked corrupt government. I hope we will not fail Rod to pick up and fight, lobby, sit on boards, whatever to help get our country back on track. Rod would want that as he would want a country for his children and grandchildren and even his friends to be a country that could worship Jesus Christ freely and without fear of retribution. Rod was a man of great knowledge and wisdom beginning with fear and understanding to try to learn all he could about Jesus and share with others. We fondly referred to him as the “walking encyclopedia.” He took us places and introduced us to others who became very close dear friends. Without Rod, we would never have met them. Some have gone before, some have moved on, but we all have that one connection Rod. I hope that I live out the rest of my life with the same love of life and adventuresome spirit that Rod carried through life. The same willingness to help others and to bring Jesus to a lost and hurting world. The same passion for trying new things and new experiences. You will be missed, Rod.
