Rodney S. Belden

Rodney Stuart Belden, age 86, passed away on June 4, 2018 surrounded by his loving family at his home on Catawba Island, Ohio. Rodney was born on August 19, 1931 to Ashley and Jean Belden in Burlington, Vermont; one of four children, including Duane, Louise, and his twin brother Roger (deceased). Rodney received his undergraduate degree from the University of Vermont and his Masters degree from Northeastern University. On May 15, 1954, he married the love of his life, Anne Gregory, with whom he has spent the last 64 years. After living in numerous places, both domestically and abroad, Rodney and Anne settled to Catawba Island. Rodney fostered a highly successful business career at AIRCO and Sandusky-based O.E. Meyer Co. where he was instrumental in transforming the company from a family-owned business to a thriving, employee-owned enterprise. He retired in 2015 after a 60-year career. Rodney and Anne have watched their five married children, Debbie (Phil), David (Diane), Pam (Jack), John (Libby) and Missy (Scott), grow families that now include 16 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Rodney served in the Air Force at Ramstein Air Base in southwestern Germany. He was a 15-year Director of Port Clinton Huntington Bank, a longtime member of the Catawba Island Club, President of Plum Brook Country Club, and was a member and/or leader of many business-related organizations throughout his distinguished career, including a founding member of AIRCO’s distributor association (ADA). In 1998, Rodney was recognized by Ernst & Young as Northwest Ohio’s Entrepreneur of the Year. Rodney has named scholarships in his honor at Michigan State University and at the American Welding Society Foundation. Viewing hours will be held at Gerner-Wolf Walker Funeral Home, 216 Washington Street, Port Clinton, Ohio on Friday, June 8th from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Memorial services will also be held at Gerner-Wolf Walker Funeral Home on Saturday, June 9th at 10:00 AM, followed by a reception at the Catawba Island Club from 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Donations in memory of Rodney can be made to the Catawba Island Volunteer Fire Department and Stein Hospice. Condolences may be shared with Rodney’s family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com