Norman William Rodman

Norman William Rodman, 78, of Hendersonville, NC, passed away on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at the Elizabeth House surrounded by his loving family.

He was born in Bracken, Saskatchewan, Canada to Margaret and Raymond Rodman. Early in life he left home to seek his fortune and found a life on the sea, traveling far and wide and meeting many life-long friends along the way.

His travels eventually found him in Miami, Florida where he became Dockmaster of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. It was also here that he began the next chapter of his journey when he met his wife, Ruth, built a houseboat on which they lived, and started his new family.

He then moved to the Gulf Coast of Florida, to the sleepy retirement community of Punta Gorda, although he was far from retired. As any one who knew him would agree, Norman believed in hard work and had an entrepreneurial spirit which led him to open The Ice Cream Parlor. Taking a chance on opening the first business of its kind in town, through his hands-on approach, this Main Street business thrived. His huge success was easily measured by the extensive patronage of families and retirees as well as the local courthouse staffers. He moved on to his next venture as General Manager of Sims Drugs and thereafter as the owner of Lauraís Lawnmowing Service (named after his eldest child). Throughout these years in Punta Gorda, he was a proud and active member of the local Kiwanis club, investing his time and energy towards what he found to be a meaningful and rewarding experience.

1988 found his daughters graduated from high school and a move with Ruth and the twins to Tuxedo, NC. Here he continued his hard working ways, learning yet another trade printing fabric at Cranston Print Works in Fletcher. Upon his retirement in 1994, he further pursued his lifelong passions of fruit and vegetable gardening and winemaking at his mountain home, Rodmanís Climb, as well as fulfilling his long time desire of achieving American citizenship. In recent years, he enjoyed day trips with Ruth and time spent with his friends at the Pardee Pavilion.

He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond Norman Rodman and Margaret Rodman Stevenson (nee Henderson) as well as long time friend, Laurie Jordan.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, his daughters Laura (Adam) Luther and Karen Rodman (Brad Howard), his sons Scott and Eric Rodman, his granddaughter Serena Luther, his stepsister Shirley (Bev) Biggar, his sister-in-law Lois (John) Freeston, his nephew Andrew (Vickie) Freeston and their son Joseph and his niece Norah (Jeffrey) Fallat and their daughter, Kelsey.

A memorial service will be at 10:30 am Monday, May 3rd in the Brunson Chapel of the First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville. A reception will follow the service. A separate private family service for inurnment will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Four Seasons Compassion for Life ñ Elizabeth House (571 South Allen Rd, Flat Rock, NC 28731), Project C.A.R.E. (P.O. Box 955, Asheville, NC 28802), Pardee Pavilion Adult Day Health Services (114 College Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731, or the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville.