Rodger Darnell, 85, died at his home in Iowa City on November 11, 2024.
Born on September 28, 1939 in Omaha Nebraska to Madeline Darnell, Rodger resided for the majority of his childhood in Council Bluffs, Iowa with his six siblings.
From 1956 to 1959 he served as an Aviation Electrician in the United States Navy, learning skills that he would use throughout his life as he often enjoyed remodeling projects.
Rodger received his Bachelor of General Studies from the University of Iowa in 1975 and his Master of Social Work degree, also from University of Iowa in 1978.
He spent his career as the director of Yakima County's substance abuse counseling program in Washington State. Upon retirement he returned to the place he loved most, living in Iowa City until his passing.
An avid cyclist, Rodger participated in multiple long distance bike rides, including Seattle to Portland (his daughter, only nine years old joined him on one occasion), Tour de Lacs (from Spokane, WA to Couer d'Alene, ID) with his family every year to celebrate his birthday, and completed RAGBRAI (the length of Iowa State) eighteen times, completing his final ride at the age of 78.
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