Walter Gregory Rodiger, Jr., known as Bud, died at Norwalk Hospital on Sunday, May 3, 2015. He was the beloved husband of 56 years of Elizabeth King Rodiger, and loving father and proud grandfather, ‘Poppy,’ to three sons and their families: Walter Gregory Rodiger, III of Wilton, Conn., his wife Beverly and children Holly, Liza and Charlie; William King Rodiger of Sudbury, Mass., his wife Heather and sons Jonathan, Jamie and Christopher; and Albert Amory Rodiger of Hingham, Mass., his wife Jennifer and sons Sam and Nate.
Born in Hartford, Conn., on March 10, 1920 to Walter Gregory Rodiger and Josephine Morton Holloway Rodiger, he enjoyed an idyllic childhood, residing in Greenwich, Conn., Pasadena, Calif., and Europe, dividing time between Switzerland and France. While in Paris, he was able to see Charles Lindbergh complete his trans-Atlantic flight. Upon returning to Connecticut, he attended Greenwich Country Day School, The Hill School in Pottstown, Pa., and Yale University, graduating in 1943.
He served in the United States military as a radio control officer in the Army Air Corps, where he was stationed in Australia and the South Pacific until the end of WWII.
On Feb. 15, 1958, during a memorable blizzard, he married Elizabeth Dexter King in Philadelphia. They lived in New York City before moving to New Canaan, Conn., in 1960, where they resided for 41 years, and were members of the Country Club of New Canaan. Bud was also a 72-year member of the Yale Club of New York City. As summer residents of Kennebunkport, Maine, they are long-time members of the Kennebunk River Club, where Bud was a former Commodore.
After a 25-year career in management consulting, ending with Case & Company in New York City and Stamford, Conn., he retired in 1985 as secretary and treasurer.
An accomplished skier, Bud learned on the slopes in Switzerland and taught his sons at Bromley Mountain, Vt. He was a renowned hobbyist; and, whether pursuing ham radio as an expert in Morse code, carpentry, model-building or computers, he delved into his projects with enthusiasm.
Known for his great temperament, ready smile and story-telling, Bud was a kind and caring gentleman, husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren and was predeceased by his parents and sister, Maribelle Rodiger Forshay.
A memorial service will be held at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church in Kennebunkport this summer. For those who wish, memorial contributions in his name may be made to St. Ann’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 44, Kennebunkport, ME 04046.
—by the family