The Reverend Canon David F. T. Rodier, PhD, devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, professor and Anglican priest passed peacefully on March 21, 2021 at his home in Peoria, AZ surrounded by his family. He was born April 30, 1938 to Robert Hopeful and Esther Louise (Bennett) Rodier in Jacksonville, FL.
Canon Rodier attend Drury University in Springfield MO, graduating in 1962 with a BA in philosophy. He was awarded a Danforth Fellowship. He used the fellowship to attend Vanderbilt University earning his PhD in philosophy in 1965. Canon Rodier taught at Southern Illinois University (1965-1967) and at The American University (1967- 2006) in the Department of Philosophy and Religion. He was awarded Professor Emeritus status by The American University at his retirement for his 39 years of service to the university and its students, including serving as Department Chairman for over 10 years. Canon Rodier was ordained an Anglican priest in 1975 and served congregations in Maryland and Virginia and was vicar of Christ the King Anglican Church in Washington, DC. He was appointed Canon Theologian for the Anglican Province of Christ the King. He retired to Arizona in 2006. In “retirement” he continued to serve congregations in Peoria, Fountain Hills and Cave Creek and teach seminary classes. Canon Rodier married his college sweetheart, VaLeta Elaine Smith, on December 27, 1962 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Springfield, MO. Canon Rodier was a lifetime learner – studying Shakespeare, Hebrew and art even in his final days. Canon Rodier is remembered by all who knew him as a scholar, theologian, musician, lover of art, opera, and foreign language, and champion of religious freedom worldwide. He was a patron of education, establishing scholarships to further the education of promising students. He loved attending, in person or virtually, every symphony performance, concert, theater production, and sporting event to cheer his grandchildren’s efforts and accomplishments.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his twin brothers (Harry and Charlie), his sister (Jean Marie) and her husband, Coy Gene Hill, his daughter in law (Susan Elaine) and his grandson (Hunter).
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, VaLeta (“Val”); his children, Jon-Marc Rodier (Susan Elizabeth), Michelle Rodier, and Pamela (Robert) Silliman; his brother Georges (Josianne) Rodier; and his grandchildren and great-grandchildren Teagen, Aidan, Alexandre, Cassidy, Saige and Kyrie; as well as nieces and nephews he treated as his own children.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Willow Springs Scholarship Club, PO Box 484, Willow Springs, MO 65793 (for The Wade and Lillian (Summers) Smith Memorial Tuition Scholarship).
A graveside memorial service will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021 at Willow Springs City Cemetery at 1:00 P.M. with Dean Sharp officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com.
