Rodger W. Asmus

Rodger W. Asmus, 88, passed away on June 5, 2016 in Granville, Ohio.  Rodger was born in Haskins, Ohio on September 23, 1927, to Frank F. Asmus and Nellie Browne Asmus.  Part of the fourth generation of Asmuses in the Haskins area, Rodger grew up on the family farm and joined the Navy at the end of WWII following graduation from high school.  He completed naval service in 1946 and attended The Ohio State University under the GI Bill, graduating in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture.   There he met his wife of 51 years, Carol “Cay” Asmus, and they were married on April 7, 1951, in Columbus Ohio.

Rodger began work at International Harvester, where he would have a long career, but that career was interrupted by the Korean War.  In 1952 Rodger applied for admission to the naval officer training program, graduated from the Naval Officers’ School, and was assigned to the John A. Bole (DD-755).  Rodger served three years as an officer aboard the John A. Bole, stationed off Korea.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1955 but remained in the naval reserve, finally retiring with the rank of Captain in 1987. 

After returning from Korea, Rodger reenrolled at Ohio State, receiving a Bachelor and a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering.  Rodger and Cay then settled in Downers Grove, Illinois and had two children, David and Sarah.  Rodger was very active in St. Andrews’ Episcopal Church in Downers Grove, ultimately serving as senior warden.  During his long career with International Harvester, Rodger, a Registered Professional Engineer, was a leading engineer for the company, developing seven patented inventions, and held several engineering management roles prior to his retirement in 1988. 

Following Rodger’s retirement, he and Cay relocated to Granville, Ohio, to be near relatives and their alma mater, The Ohio State University. Rodger greatly enjoyed attending Ohio State football games with his brother Jim and cousins Bob and Marsh.  He kept active playing golf, was a long-time fisherman, and continued to ride his bike well into his 80s.  He was also actively involved in his new church in Granville, St. Luke’s.  After Cay’s death in 2002, Rodger moved to the retirement community of Kendal at Granville as one of the founding members there.  Despite suffering a serious accident in 2005, Rodger with his spirit and determination was able to bounce back, going through rehabilitation therapy at Ohio State’s Dodd Hall and returning to independent living at Kendal.  He was well known there for his cheerful demeanor and gregariousness.

Rodger was preceded in death by his wife Cay.  He is survived by his children, David Asmus and his wife, Debbie; and Sarah Asmus and her partner, Rob Aukerman.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, June 10, 2016 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 107 E. Broadway Street, Granville, Ohio with Rev Dr. Stephen H. Applegate as celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rodger’s memory to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 82, Granville, Ohio 43023, or The Ohio State University Foundation (note  gift is for “Friends of Dodd Hall - Fund 309497”), c/o Mr. Kyle Sebastian, Associate Director of Development, OSU Medical Center, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, Ohio 43218-3112, or The American Legion – Department of Ohio, 60 Big Run Road, Delaware, Ohio 43015, Attention: Jason Graven.  

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com

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