I was sorry and deeply saddened to read of Rod' s passing. I have many happy memories of him and I will be forever grateful for the kindness and thoughtfulness he showed towards my mom.
Sincerely, 
Judy Prince-Hugenberger

Love you Rod always one of my favorite cousins.  You were always so good to us! Thank you for being you a good man.
Love Stephanie Gouveia

I only met Rod a few meaningful times but they were enough to leave me missing him now.  Elaine has been my very close friend since we were teenagers in New York, before she moved to California. I was a bridesmaid at Elaine and Rod's wedding and got to know Rod through my friendship with Elaine.  The distance did not change how close I felt and feel to them.  I will miss Rod for myself and for the loss Elaine and Andy have suffered.  Love, Lucia

Rod was one of the first people we meet after moving to ca. We rode Motorcyles together and Andrew was always with him. He was a true family man and will be missed by all, we feel very special to have known him and will miss his upbeat happy smile. If you ever need anything we are here for you.

Rod was very dear to me and to all of us in the family.We had a great conversation on the phone 2 weeks ago and planned to get together in October.He was always a gentle and caring person and I am so proud of the man he became.When I became an aunt at eight years old it was the most exciting thing that had happened to me.He knew how much I always loved him no matter if we did not see one another often over the years.We shared many memories of our childhood and I will cherish those memories forever.

Genuine. Fresh wisdom. Spark in his eye. True intention of love. Life's educator. A constant in our community. My thoughts are with you, Elaine, during this difficult time.

Rod reached out to me with welcoming hands of acceptance knowing the students of PGUSD well, especially those who would benefit from an adult's kindness and guidance.

As a Super Kids Counselor at Pacific Grove Middle School, I was honored to witness Rod's joy and well-mannered role modeling for students and adults alike. I will miss him. All of us grew and learned from Mr. Herndon's wisdom.

I will miss seeing Rod out and about on Pacific Grove school campuses.  He was  a Renaissance man;  always friendly, open and loved what he did in a school district where he truly enjoyed the students and staff.

Rod and I worked many years for the Pacific Grove Unified School District in many different kinds of jobs.  
Rod tried to make a difference in the district any way he could.
I will always admire and remember him for that.
Alex Besobrazoff

The Rod Herndon I knew in my 8-1/2 years of working in the PGUSD was always smiling, always helpful, and he told me he loved his job as a groundskeeper.

I was so sorry to learn of Rod's passing. I worked at Robert Down when he was there and he always had a smile for everyone.  He was willing to help where ever it was needed.  Truely one of the 'good guys'.  He will be deeply missed.

Rod was a special person who touched many lives.  When I worked at the middle school, he volunteered his time to teach art and life skills to students in need of guidance.  I remember well the day I was his "honored guest" at Roy's for lunch.  His group of students rose from the table where they were seated and the young man next to my empty chair pulled it out for me.  The students' manners during lunch were impeccable, and they presented me afterwards with a collage they had made.  That work of art still hangs in my home.  Rod orchestrated the whole event, including picking up the tab for all of us.  He will be missed very much, and his family are in my thoughts and prayers.

I first met Rod when he and my mother, Jessie Bray, were fellow PGUSD School Board Trustees. He joined Robert H. Down's staff while I was receiving radiation and chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer during the 2000-2001 school year. He disinfected everything every day (including doorknobs!) to help protect my compromised immune system.  Rod made my students feel it was a special privilige to help him help me.

Rod helped me design kachina doll and spirit mask art projects that enriched my students' history/social studies curriculum. He continued to supply the kachina doll wood forms for my students until I retired in June 2008. I will forever treasure the kachina Rod created for me that year.

I know my mom greeted Rod at Heaven's Gate with her highest accolade, "You done good, Kid, you done real good!"

Rod was a good man and a good neighbor. He took such joy and pride in making his and Elaine's back yard into a beautiful sanctuary. The last conversation we had was about the greenhouse he planned to build and the chickens he planned to get. Always the good neighbor, he came over to make sure that I had no problem with having chickens next door. He was like a kid, full of excitement about fulfilling what he said had always been a dream--to have chickens! I truly hope that Rod has his chickens and his greenhouse now.

Rod was a great neighbor.  I will miss him.

Rod was a kind and good man; he was great friend of our family. He will be missed but he will always be remembered.

A few years back an elderly PG couple was in dire need of help clearing out a very large and full yard. The family was able to acquire the MANY dumpsters needed to haul generations of "memories", but simply put they did not have the manpower to get the daunting task more than off the ground. I remember clearly that foggy PG Saturday morning. You could hardley see across the street. And as the family started what could only be their best effort I looked across the street into the blowing fog and like something out of the movie Field of Dreams, I saw Rod and the huge crew he assembled appear out of nowhere. Rod had taken his day to gather a group of his friends and neighbors and come help a family in need. That was what made Rod and PG so loved, he cared about us all.

Mr. Herndon was the light of my day when I went to Pacific Grove Middle School. He somehow knew my home life wasn't the best and would pretend to "forget his lunch" and buy enough food for both of us. After I graduated and  I would see him around town he would always stop and talk to me, even when I knew it was inconvenient for him. He was one of the good ones. My sympathy for his family and friends.

As a staff member at the middle school, I always knew if I needed anything, Rod was the man. He always seemed to know exactly were that item was in the district. When he moved to grounds keeper, he always had a smile, and a wave for anyone who saw him. Our district has suffered a great loss.

Rod, you are missed.  Thank you for sharing your life with all.  I always liked our Harley ride. Thank you for asking me to help raise funds for your school.  When you would drop by Mr.Z's, it was always a pleasure to talk with you and find out what your next project was!   Craig

When I worked at Robert Down, Rod was such a help with anything needed...always cheerful, always positive and with a smile. When Frank worked at PG Middle School...he was wonderful to him. Rod will be so missed by all in the community....he made the world a better place with his presence.
             Prayers and loving thoughts for his family, Frank and Maria Penner

It is with the greatest surprise and sadness,
we learned of Rod's sudden passing.  A soft spoken gentleman,
who was willing to help others without limits.  Just a wonderful,
decent man,  who remained humble in his life.

The Wilkinson's         Jim, Kim, Jessica, & Jonathon

He was such a fixture around P.G. schools, and all the children loved him. We are so sorry for his untimely loss.

Rod was truly one of the most selfless people I have ever known.  I had the pleasure of working with him when my son was in the middle school, via the PTA.  The children were always his first concern, and he used his talents to donate one of his wonderful works of art to PG PRIDE each year for the auction.  He will be truly missed. We are all richer for knowing him.

One of the towns best.  He will be missed by all those he touched.  His service to the community and the children were unmatched.

OBITUARY

Rodney Lee Herndon

June 16, 1950 – September 16, 2013

The Paul Mortuary

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