Rodney Curtis Widner

Rodney Curtis Widner, 68, passed away Friday, October 9, 2009, after battling with A.L.S.

He was born on July 13, 1941 to Alice and Marvin Widner. He grew up in rural Wisconsin, and obtained his bachelors degree in math and chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville.

He taught high school in Wisconsin for two years before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1964. He received his master''s degree in systems and logistics from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Ohio. He was deployed to a base in England in 1965. It was there that he first met Karlene Knutson, who taught at the base elementary school. Rod and Karlene were soon both transferred to the base at Bitburg, Germany, where they were married on February 10, 1967.

Rod had a 20-year career as an officer in the Air Force, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam, multiple international deployments, and numerous medals for distinguished service. He was transferred to Hill Air Force Base in Utah in 1978. When he retired from the Air Force in 1984, he went to work for defense contractor TRW, where he continued to work for the protection of our nation. After 24 years as an engineer there, in January 2009 he retired from Northrop Grumman, which had acquired TRW.

Throughout his life, Rod was dedicated to public and community service. He was an active member of his faith community at Our Savior''s Lutheran Church in Roy, and was constantly helping friends, neighbors, and colleagues with everything from car repair to yard work to snow plowing.

Rod is survived by his wife Karlene Widner, son and daughter-in-law Rick and Karen Widner, and daughters Kirsten Widner and Kari Schwartzbeck, as well as six grandchildren, four sisters and a brother, and many other relatives who will miss him dearly.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, October 13th at Our Savior''s Lutheran Church, 5560 South 2300 West, Roy, Utah.

The family will receive visitors there from noon to 12:45 p.m., with the service beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Rod''s name to the ALS Foundation, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 250, Calabasas Hills, CA 91301..

Funeral Directors, Lindquist''s Roy Mortuary.

Send condolences to the family at: www.lindquistmortuary.com