George Bartholomew Rodenburg

Rodenburg, George Bartholomew, 92, died at home surrounded by his children on Wednesday, May 8, 2019, after several months of declining health. George was born on December 4, 1926, in New York, New York and was the eldest child of George Sjerp Rodenburg and Jennie Higgins Rodenburg. He grew up in Manhattan where he rode his tricycle on the roof and played curb-ball, ringolevio, and stickball in the streets. He attended Good Shepherd School and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School. George enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944, just after his 18th birthday, and served overseas for two years. After being honorably discharged, George returned to New York to attend college. He graduated with honors in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from Manhattan College and in 1950, received a Master of Science degree in chemical engineering from Niagara University. Afterwards, he accepted a job with Infilco and moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he met and married his beloved, Kathleen. There they started their family and eventually moved with the company to Richmond in 1971. George worked his entire career at Infilco, first as a chemical engineer and later as a contract manager. George was a prudent, pragmatic man who spoke bluntly and loved his family and friends deeply. He was a devout Catholic, an active member of St. Joseph's Parish in Richmond, Virginia, and belonged to the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He was a voracious reader, an avid Jeopardy fan, loved classical music and opera, and collected anything related to Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang. He had a great love for all things Irish, most notably his extended Higgins family, both here in the US and across the pond. Shortly before his passing, while recalling good times and sharing a Guinness with his brother, Roy, he remarked, “It’s good to be Irish." George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jennie Rodenburg; and his beloved wife of 56 years, Kathleen Brown Rodenburg. He is survived by his four children, Anne Rodenburg Schlicher, Monica Mary Durrette (Wyatt), George John Rodenburg (Jill), and Martha Jane Rodenburg; seven grandchildren: Sarah Anne Harvey (Ben), Heidi Schlicher Cook (Kevin), Robert Hans Schlicher (Taylor), Matthew Adam Schlicher, George Daniel Rodenburg, Kathleen Connor Quaine, and Andrew Ray Rodenburg; three great-grandchildren: Hazel Joan Cook, John Harris Cook, and Kinley Therese Cook; his brother, Ruurd Rodenburg (Rosemarie); nieces Patricia Rodenburg, Kathleen Rodenburg Albert (Todd); nephew, Roy Rodenburg; cousins Mary Higgins Clark, James McCormack (Virginia), Patrick Higgins (Rita), Gerard Higgins, John Higgins, their children; and a slew of much-loved in-laws, nieces, and nephews on his wife, Kathleen's, side of the family. The family will receive friends Wednesday, May 15th, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Woody Funeral Home, 1020 Huguenot Road. A rosary service will be held at 5:00 p.m., prior to the visitation. A requiem Mass will be held Thursday, May 16th, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 828 Buford Road; a reception will follow. Burial with military honors will be held Friday, May 17th, at 11:00 a.m. at Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia, 10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia, Virginia.