Dirk Allan Rodewald

Dirk, also known as “Dirkster” passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at home with his wife Diane & Bobby “The Wonder Cat” by his side.  He spent the last 2 years battling Pancreatic cancer.  

He was blessed to have help from awesome friends and family that were with him during his battle with this terrible disease. 

Dirk was born July 12, 1950, in Eugene, OR to Hal & Lee Rodewald (deceased) on the University of Oregon campus. His parents lived in the married student's housing, while his father Hal was going to school.  He automatically became a “DUCK”.

Dirk is survived by his wife Diane & fur child Bobby, his Sisters: Robin Kinsey, (Paul), Heidi Ternes, (Patrick), Nephews: Dirk Kinsey (Eliza), Erik Kinsey, Nieces: Kylie Ternes, Koryn Ternes, Cousin: Brian MacKenzie, (Gentry) as well many lifelong friends & family, who will miss Dirk! 

Dirk was known for his easy-going personality, & ability to stay in touch with friends from his childhood, school days, & college days!  

Dirk grew up in southern CA, as a swimmer, playing water polo, surfing lifeguard, & runner.  He was a lifetime lover of live music and as a result made his way up to Vancouver, WA from Humbolt state college in Arcata, Ca, to open a nightclub with some friends! (He thought that they were going to Vancouver, Canada.)  So, if any of you older folks remember “THE HAYLOFT TAVERN'' up in the now demolished Tower Mall off Mill Plain, please share a Memory of the famous “Wet T-shirt” contests, and the live bands, and acts from BB King, Ray Charles, Maria Muldaur and many others! 

Dirk also worked at Pacific Wood Treating in Ridgefield, WA & retired from Hewlett Packard in Vancouver, WA & has many friends from both places.

No service is planned at this time, so that we can have a “Celebration of Life” in the Summer of 2024.  

So be ready to help celebrate the Dirkster’s wonderful life with family & friends with your best “Hawaiian Shirts & Shorts” & memories of Dirk in the summer of 2024! This is the way Dirk would want everyone to remember him!