Rodney G. Smith

Rodney Smith passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee at the age of 90 years. Rodney was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin July 17, 1931 to the late Daniel K and Bertha Martha (nee Noe) Smith. Rodney attended UW Madison and graduated in 1953 with a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology. He served in the US Army as a medic from 1954 thru 1956. He was stationed in Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. Rodney worked for the Pabst Brewing Company for 17 years where he was a research biologist. He was granted several patents for his work. After the company moved Rodney worked briefly for the State Department of Agriculture and the Milwaukee Sewage Commission. Rodney finished his career at UWM, where he worked for 25 years. He retired in 1996. Rodney briefly worked for the Solar Corporation where he met and married his wife, Carol Runde. The couple married on March 3, 1958 in Illinois. They lived in Milwaukee and had 4 children, Mark, Grant, Leslie, Wendy. The family moved to Port Washington Wisconsin in 1972. Rodney loved nature, he spent countless hours hiking, bird watching, gardening and occasionally camping. He was a long time member of the Audubon Society. Rodney was an exceptional artist, he painted mainly using oil and nature as his subject. He sold many works of art locally and enjoyed painting ornaments and other items. He was also a fan of UW Badgers Football Team. Rodney is survived by his two sons, Mark and Grant (Dawn) Smith and daughter Leslie (Steve) Hughes. He was a loving and proud grandfather to 7 grandchildren: Danielle, Eric, Ben, Ariel, Austin, Taylor, Courtney. And one great grandchild: Ace. He is further survived by other relatives and friends. Rodney was proceeded in death by his parents, wife Carol, and daughter Wendy. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday March 24, 2022 at 5:00 PM at Mueller Funeral Home, 979 N Green Bay Road in Grafton with a visitation from 3:00 -4:45 PM. Interment will be at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee.