1947
2021
Rodney Martin Ems was born April 15, 1947 in San Bernardino, CA to Wesley and Eleanor Ems. He died August 24, 2021 in Durango, CO after a courageous battle with cancer. Rod graduated from Cal Poly Pomona in 1970 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He married Joan, the love of his life, in 1975, and together they moved to Durango in 1978 and established Rod's structural engineering firm. Rod was very active in the community, including being a long-standing member of the Kiwanis of the Narrow Gauge Club and serving on several review boards. He played many recreational sports, but truly loved his time on the golf course with his father and many friends.
Rod was a generous man with a quirky sense of humor. He was gentle, yet persistent. Rod treasured his family and friends and helped them any way he could. He handled his terminal illness diagnosis with positivity, dignity, faith and grace and his battle should be an inspiration to all of us. His final days were eased by the loving care provided by Susan of Hospice of Mercy and dear friends, Bob and Mary Ralph.
Rod is preceded in death by his father, Wesley. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Joan; daughters, Colleen (Robert) Carmon and Jessica (Natambu) Obleton; grandchildren; mother, Eleanor; sisters, Carolyne (Frank) Pons and Patricia (Bert) Berends; and nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Rodney at St. Columba Catholic Church on Friday, September 24, 2021 at 9AM. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Mercy, the Hillcrest Junior Golf Foundation or Elevated Golf Academy to foster the love of golf.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Hood Mortuary - Durango.
4 Entries
Miss you brother.
Carol
Carolyne
Family
August 26, 2023
I got to know Rod and his fine, tightknit family through Carol when she and I were a couple during college. I recall looking up to him as a big brother just like Carol did. I remember how he loved working on the family Jeep with his dad making sure it was ready for the next Pismo Beach trip, how much he loved his then new chocolate brown 1969 El Camino with its giant engine and how much he lamented his first speeding ticket! I remember seeing him driving the big ride along mower for his summer job during college with So Cal Gas/Edison. I especially appreciated how respectful Rod was, never teasing Carol or I as older brothers are prone to do, simply because his sister and I were dating. I remember seeing how proud Mr. and Mrs. Ems were when talking about Rod getting his first professional engineering position after graduating from Cal Poly Pomona. My condolences to Carol and her family on their loss.
Joe Fleischmann
September 24, 2021
Grief can be so hard, but your special memories will help you through Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Cindy Miller
September 20, 2021
No words for the loss of my brother, just profound sadness.
Love.
Carolyne & Frank Pons
Family
September 2, 2021
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