Roderick F. "Rod" Eaken

Roderick F. “Rod” Eaken, 89, of Bernville, passed away peacefully on Thursday morning August 25, 2022.

Rod was married to Mary Jane (Reigel) Eaken on November 16, 1979. They would have celebrated forty-three loving years of marriage doing everything together.

Rod was born in Akron, Ohio; he was the son of the late R. W. Eaken, Sr., and Josephine Elizabeth (Ford) Eaken.

Rod graduated from Reading High School and continued his education at Penn State University on a golf scholarship and as a ROTC member, graduating in 1954.

For four years Rod served honorably in the U. S. Army Signal Corp., retiring as a 1st Lieutenant.

In his earlier years Rod was employed at R. W. Eaken, Inc as a Sales Representative. For thirty years Rod was employed at R. M. Palmer Company retiring as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing in 1988.

He enjoyed attending various seminaries and was a faithful and active member of St. Thomas Church in Bernville.

Rod was an enthusiastic golfer and played on various courses in the US and around the world; he served as President of the PA Golf Association. Being a well-known scratch golfer, Rod enjoyed helping others who wanted to improve their golf skills and those unskilled players who wanted to learn the game of golf. In 2002 Rod was inducted into the Berks County Sports Hall of Fame.

Rod was an avid trap shooter, with his lovely wife, showing their skills all around the US. He was a member of the Atlantic Indians Trap Shooting Association where he became High Chief of the organization.

Rod enjoyed traveling with his wonderful wife where they also enjoyed fishing and skiing. For many years they enjoyed skiing in Vail, CO with their family.

Surviving are two children, Blair C. Eaken of Sinking Spring and Denise E. Brandt partner of Barry L Schlappich of Bernville. Also surviving are two fantastic granddaughters, Aubrey T. Eaken, and Hannah L. Eaken who he loved dearly. There are two deceased children, Infant Chip Eaken, and Tommy Eaken.

Rod has three surviving siblings, R. W. “Bill” Eaken, Jr. wife Louise Eaken of Wyomissing, Elizabeth J. “Betty” Eaken wife of Oswald DiSciullo of King of Prussia, and Marjorie “Midge” Rothermel, wife of Dr. James Rothermel of Highlands, NC. Rod is also survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank all the caregivers who have helped Rod and the family get through the past few years; all the staff at Comfort Keepers, Country Meadows, Stoneridge Retirement Center, and Hospice have been the best. All these folks have provided the best care for Rod and fantastic support for the family, thank you to everyone.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2022, at St. Thomas Church, 536 N. Main St., Bernville. Visitation will take place at the church from 9:00AM to 11:00AM with the service beginning at 11:00AM.

Interment will follow the service at St Thomas Cemetery in Bernville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rod’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association online ALZ.org, or the Bernville Community Fire Co., 6701 Bernville Rd., Bernville, PA, or St. Thomas Church, 536 N. Main St., Bernville, PA 19506.

The Kirkhoff Funeral Home in Bernville is entrusted with the funeral arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.kirkhofffuneralhome.com