Rodney Evans Wertz

Rodney (Rod) Evans Wertz, son of Ralph Wertz and Marian Anderson, died at home on May 10, 2024, from complications due to bladder cancer.  He was 77 years old.

Rod was born on May 5, 1947, in Ogden, Utah.  He spent his youth traveling with his parents and sister, Diane, as a military family.  He was later drafted into the Army during the Viet Nam conflict and served with pride in his country and service.  He was in the U.S. Army two years, and then, continued his service with Army National Guard.  During his tenure in the military, he also worked at Hill A.F.B. as an Aircraft Sheet Metal Mechanic, retiring from both positions when he felt he had to stay home and take care of his elderly mother.  

Rod lived in Utah for much of his adult life; however, he had opportunities to travel all around the world. He loved to tell stories of his experiences as he traveled for his job both within the United States and in other countries such as Japan, Pakistan, and Egypt.  

He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Any calling he was given, he performed to the best of his ability.  He loved serving in the Scout program, especially when he could talk about this wonderful country we live in and his reverence for the flag. The only time Rod showed any real anger was when the American Flag was disrespected.  

Rod had a passion for building RC/Control Line airplanes as well as RC cars and crawlers. He loved to show others how to build and he, often, would volunteer to help others to bring their hobbies one step higher in quality and performance.  He had a lot of respect for those with more experience than him and was humble enough to ask for their opinions even though he was talented as well.

As numerous people came to see Rod, it was amazing how many of them would talk to him about his kindness, charity, and sweetness.   There was no guile in him.   Although there were times when people were cruel, he would always forgive. 

Rod had a great capacity for love.  He had several marriages that started in love, but unfortunately, ended in divorce. Previous wives were Alice Hall, Kathy Davis, and Rosa Lee Olsen Hartwell.  Although the marriages ended, Rod held each of these women in high esteem.  He later married Debra Colleen Minson on May 14, 1993.   They were later sealed in the Logan Temple and remained married through the remainder of his life. He passed away four days before their 31^st wedding anniversary.

Rod was proceeded in death by his parents, Ralph and Marian Wertz, and grandson Logan Bowles.  He is survived by his sister Diane Drais (Gene), wife, Debra Wertz, his children, Rebecca Hull (Lynn), Callista Briggs, Heidi Miller (Andy), Chad W. Bowles II (Tracee), Derek Bowles (Cariane), Britten Lamb (Shawn), Stacy Averett (Chad), Jeremy Bowles (Nichole), Mitch Bowles (Heather), Drew Bowles (Kristi), 33 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.  

Services will be held at Lindquist Mortuary located at 869 S 2000 W, Syracuse, Utah.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024. Services will include a public viewing from 9:30 am – 10:45 am., with funeral services following at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Hooper Cemetery located at 5301 S 6300 W, Hooper, Utah.  A family luncheon will be held at the Maplewood Ward building in Syracuse, Utah, following interment.  The address is 2228 S 1660 W, Syracuse, Utah.   

The family would like to thank all the medical professionals who assisted in the care of Rodney during his battle with cancer as well as the family and friends who stood by his side through the end of his journey. For those of you who did not know Rodney well, we hope you will have the privilege of getting to know him after this life. We believe you will find him as loving and kind as we have found him here.  

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