Rodney Dale Otzenberger

Born on October 14, 1945, in Fort Collins, Colorado, Rod lived a life filled with love, curiosity,ingenuity, and a passion for the outdoors.

One of the greatest stories of Rod’s life began when he was just 14 years old and met Delores (Del). They fell in love and never looked back. Their relationship grew into a lifelong partnership and a family that meant everything to him.

Rod earned his doctorate in Chemistry from Montana State University, where he also completed postdoctoral research. He went on to enjoy a long career at 3M in Minnesota. One of the most memorable chapters of his career took Rod and Del to Japan for an 18-month assignment. Their time there became much more than a professional opportunity, bringing special friendships, unforgettable experiences, and memories they would cherish for the rest of their lives.

But Rod’s creativity didn’t stop when he left work. A natural problem-solver and talented craftsman, he was always designing, building, or improving something. Whether it was a specialized tool or a custom fly-tying bench, Rod would much rather make something himself than buy something that didn’t work exactly the way he wanted. If there was a better way to do something, Rod was determined to find it.

Rod’s lifelong passion was fishing—all kinds of fishing. It didn’t matter where he was going, as long as there was water nearby, he was sure to bring a fishing rod. Fishing was more than a pastime; it was part of who he was. He spent countless hours enjoying the outdoors, pursuing his next catch, and sharing his love of fishing with others. That passion also led Rod to volunteer with Project Healing Waters, where he helped veterans learn to fly fish and tie flies. Sharing his knowledge and skills with those who served was a meaningful way for Rod to give back while doing something he loved.

As devoted as Rod was to fishing, his greatest joy was his family. He especially treasured time with his grandchildren. He was always willing to join in whatever they wanted to play, making memories that will be cherished for years to come. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who taught his family the value of hard work, resourcefulness, responsibility, and appreciating the simple pleasures in life.

Rod is survived by his beloved wife, Del; his sons, Bret (Pam) and Dan (Kirsten); his grandchildren, Russel (April) and Max (Lexi); his great-granddaughter, Charlotte; his brothers, Steve (Maria) and Craig (Jeannie); and his sister, Jane (Gene). Rod will be remembered for his brilliant and inventive mind, his ability to build or fix just about anything, his lifelong love of fishing, and, above all, his devotion to his family.

He leaves behind a lifetime of memories, lessons, and love. And while his family will miss him dearly, it’s comforting to imagine Rod somewhere with a fishing rod in his hand, the water in front of him, and all the time in the world to enjoy one more cast.

A private celebration of Rod’s life will be held with close family.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that you make a donation to a charity of your choice or to the food shelf open cupboard, in memory of Rod.