David 'Dave' Lee Rodenhiser

HAVERHILL – David 'Dave' Lee Rodenhiser, 84, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 19, 2024, surrounded by his loved ones.

Dave was born February 13, 1939, to his beloved mother Edith, and father Albert Rodenhiser in Waltham, MA. 

Dave attended Saugus public schools and graduated from Essex “Aggie” in Middleton in 1956.  After graduation, Dave enrolled in the Navy stationed in Norfolk, VA, as a member of the underwater demolition crew.  Following an honorable discharge, he attended UMass Amherst to study Dairy and Agriculture. After earning his associate degree, Dave worked at Stop and Shop for 5 years as a lab technician and store surveyor.  He then worked for Gibbs Oil and while attending East Coast Aero Technical School to obtain his airframe and powerplant license. With a profound passion for aircraft, this license enabled him to embark on a round-the-world journey for expatriate jobs in the aviation industry. In September of 1975, the family moved to Tehran, Iran where Dave worked for Iran Aircraft Industries (a division of Northrop). The family enjoyed their time in Iran until 1979 when the Revolution began.  Due to the revolution, Dave was moved to the U.S. Embassy overnight and then spent 2 weeks at the airport until he could be evacuated on the only 2 Pan Am flights that got out. These are the same dramatic escape flights that were featured in the 2012 movie, Argo.  Once arriving back to safety in England, the family then moved back to the United States, settling in Saugus, MA. In 1980, Dave worked for General Electric on the T-700, the Apache Helicopter engine, which eventually led him and his family to Indonesia in 1989. There, he taught local teams engine building.  In 1995, Dave moved to Cairo, Egypt, continuing his work for 7 years.  Throughout his career, he worked in other countries such as Jordan, Syria, Turkey, and Greece, spending a total of 27 years with General Electric.  While abroad, Dave actively participated in expat social circles, including captaining a bowling league with his wife and running with the Hash House Harriers in Bandung, all the while consistently seeking his beloved German food wherever he went.

Always dedicated to his work, Dave finally agreed to retire around the age of 70 and moved home to Massachusetts. 

In his retirement years, Dave helped his sister at her local corner store until it was time for him to embrace the role of the World’s Best Grampie once his grandchildren were born.  No one expected this man of few words and a low tolerance for kids to be Super Grampie, commuting several days a week to take care of Harrison and Cameron through their preschool days.  This was a job he took most seriously and one that Melissa could not have managed without him. 

Dave enjoyed playing cribbage with his sister and brother-in-law on Wednesdays, traveling to Nova Scotia, and watching aircraft shows. He was the go-to person for fixing anything from toasters to plumbing to cars. Dave also was known to be a wonderful dancer.  An avid reader with an interest in all things World War II, history, and engineering, Dave was always eager to learn more, including about the cultures of the countries he had once lived in.  

Ever the Yankee pragmatist, Dave valued education, honor, history and devotedly providing for his family.

He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Marion Yvonne Rodenhiser (Huskins); his son Matthew Rodenhiser and his longtime partner Yung Liu of Topsfield; his daughter, Melissa More of Beverly, MA and his grandchildren, Harrison and Cameron More.  He is also survived by his dear sister Lorinda Darling and her husband Billy of Haverhill and brother Albert and his wife Joyce Rodenhiser of Saugus, along many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dave is now reunited in heaven with his eldest brother, Robert Rodenhiser.

Family and friends will celebrate his life with visitation on Friday, January 26, in the Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 S. Main Street, Haverhill from 4:00  to 6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dave’s memory to High Pointe House (Tufts Hospice) 360 North Ave, Haverhill, MA 01830. Guestbook, visit www.driscollcares.com

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