Ronald Rothwell Rodda

Ronald Rothwell "Ron" Rodda, age 94, of Clarkston, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 2, 2026, surrounded by his family. Ron lived a life rooted in love for his family, a deep spiritual faith, and an enduring love of the outdoors. 

Ron was born on October 22, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan to Ruby May Mills and Ronald Thomas Rodda. When the family returned to Canada, they settled in London, Ontario. Ron grew up there surrounded by a loving extended family that gathered nearly every weekend. His boyhood unfolded along the Thames River, where he fished, skated, and hunted alongside his father and uncles. His entrepreneurial spirit showed early: he bought apples from local farmers and sold them around town. After surviving a nearly fatal illness, he went to work in a foundry. 

At 17, Ron, who held both Canadian and U.S. citizenship, moved to Livonia, Michigan. He was drafted into the U.S. Army and served on the front lines in Korea. When he came home, he married Beverly Strohmaier and together they had five children: Ronald, Brett, Jamie, Lisa, and Leslie. He introduced his children to the lakes and forests of northern Canada. This began a tradition that became a treasured part of his grandchildren's lives as well. 

Ron brought energy and a gift for connection to everything he did. As the owner of Twin Pines milk routes, he built lasting friendships with his Birmingham customers. He later helped many of those same families buy and sell homes during a 45-year real estate career in Birmingham and Clarkston with Max Broock, Realtors. He went on to manage several of their real estate offices, where his enthusiasm and personal warmth built strong bonds with agents and staff.

In 1981, Ron married Nancy (Wrobbel), beginning a 45-year partnership grounded in deep love and friendship. Nancy was his steadfast companion, his best friend, and his partner in every adventure. They moved to Clarkston in 1992 and built a life full of friends, family, gardening, golf, travel, and a shared love of the outdoors. Their devotion to each other was a constant through every season of their life together, and their home became a warm gathering place for the people they loved. 

Ron had a gift for bringing creativity and play into the lives of everyone around him. He delighted in inventing games and adventures for his children, his grandchildren, and two young men he mentored, Mark Danielewicz and Brett Tillander. Northern Canada held a special place in his heart. The weeks he spent there with his six grandchildren were filled with hiking, fishing, games, and memorable coming-of-age initiation ceremonies. 

A deep thinker, prolific reader and inquisitive learner, Ron found meaning in both intellectual exploration and spiritual reflection. He prayed for his family and friends every day. 

Ron is survived by his wife of 45 years, Nancy; his children, Ronald, Brett (Kim), Lisa (Michael), and Leslie (George); his grandchildren, Chandler (Kelsea), Chase (Whitney), Jordan (Erin), Carly (Jordan), Sierrah (Neil), Alexandra; his great grandchildren, Max, Lailah, Violet, Hazel, Alana, and Auburn. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruby and Ronald Thomas Rodda; his son, Jamie; and his sister, Delores Sullivan. 

Ron's love lives on in the family he cherished, the friendships he nurtured, and the stories of shared adventures that will be told and treasured for years to come.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 12:30 PM at Lewis E. Wint & Son Funeral Home, 5929 South Main Street, Clarkston, Michigan. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Friday, October 16, 2026, from 4 to 8 PM. Interment will take place later at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan. 

Please consider leaving a memory or condolence on the online guestbook at www.wintfuneralhome.com.