Plant a tree in memory of Wendell
An environmentally friendly option
Loading...
K
Kevin Burnup posted a condolence
Monday, August 10, 2020
Today I learned of the Wendell's passing in the Geneseo alumni magazine. I am proud to say that I knew Wendell Rhodes, and benefited from his knowledge and guidance during my years at SUNY Geneseo. While there, I studied physical anthro and archaeology with him. He was an amazing professor, and certainly deserving of the honors bestowed upon him for his efforts. I could share so many stores, but I think my days as his archaeology student provided among the best. The field course I took with him in the summer of '77 was one of the most worthwhile courses I took. He took great interest over what each student was unearthing on the sites we were working, and that meant a lot to us. After hours, we always enjoyed socializing with Wendell, and it brings to mind an oft-asked question of historical significance: where were you when Elvis died? I was with Wendell, as some of us had just walked into Geneseo's Idle Hour, and learned of Elvis's demise, as the headlines in the Rochester newspaper were on the tables. Oh, he wasn't Elvis' biggest fan, and I will leave it at that. Wendell was a gracious host, and invited faculty and students to his beautiful home in Groveland for gatherings. We stayed in touch over the years. When I applied to graduate school in Atlanta, Wendell was happy to provide me a letter of reference. During that year, Barbara had some professional meetings in Atlanta, and Wendell flew down with her. We all had a great time together, and I will remember it always. I am glad that Wendell led a long and productive life. My life is richer for it.
A
Andrew M. Quick posted a condolence
Monday, February 3, 2020
I am very saddened to learn of this. My condolences to the family.
P
Paul Mastrodonato posted a condolence
Sunday, January 26, 2020
How grateful and lucky am I . . . very.
How would I know when I came to SUNY Geneseo in 1987 as a transfer student studying anthropology that I would meet and become lifelong friends with a man who first became my academic advisor, and would then mean so much to me through what he taught me, introduced me to, allowed me to experience, and just being in his presence to share stories, giggle and watch life go by over the years.
The main feeling I will always have when it comes to Wendell is honored. And to have met and formed friendships with people like Mark, Brian, Mikey, Drew and others adds to what I’ve gained.
Some random memories that will stay with me always - - his office at Sturges, the Shloss, wine, cheese, and olives, so many hours spent by the wood stove, his yard and afternoons in the gazebo with he and Barb, Alexandria and King Street, the Tune Inn, Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, opera, camping, bloody Mary’s, Toronto and Spadina Market, the Washington and Bronx zoos, and his incredible stories.
I love you, Wendell. Thank you for all you’ve done for me and others. You have done your share of lifting, living and loving beyond that of many men. Travel lightly and rest easy, my friend.
L
Luke Wells posted a condolence
Sunday, January 19, 2020
A very cold winter night. Snow is blowing, wind is howling but I am warm at Wendell and Barb's, near the Franklin stove, playing cribbage. The Rhodes' took me into their family when I needed a safe harbor. They are a colored thread through the fabric of my life. Peace to you, Kevin, Mark and Eric.
Luke Wells
R
RoseAnn Miller posted a condolence
Friday, January 17, 2020
What a wonderful and funny guy Wendall was. I remember us all getting together at The Hub for a beer when we were through work and laughing about everything. He told so many stories I will never forget. He will be missed by many.
M
Mark Gardiner posted a condolence
Friday, January 17, 2020
My condolences to Mark, Kevin, Eric and families. My first encounter with Wendell was in Algonquin Park in the late 60's just before we were off to university. He invited us to his campfire and a great friendship blossomed over the years.What a wonderful educator and all-round mensch ! He will be sorely missed but cherished in our memory. Mark Gardiner, Toronto
L
Larry Faulkner posted a condolence
Friday, January 17, 2020
As a Secondary Ed. Math student, I needed a Core course that would fit my schedule and complement my math background. Intro to Physical Anthropology fit the bill. Little did I know that it would start me down the "Rhode" of taking more classes that Dr. Rhodes taught. There were many memories, but, the one that sticks out from all the others was the following.
It was a warm spring day and Dr. Rhodes came into the classroom, walked over to the window, looked out for a while and said: "The campus is awash with libido"! I could barely contain myself and knew that I needed to take as many courses from him as possible.
He was a little out there, but a great teacher. I can't recall all the teachers I had, but, I will never forget Dr. Rhodes
D
Dean V. June posted a condolence
Friday, January 17, 2020
I was student of Dr. Rhodes. I took a couple of classes from him, and went on some digs with him. As a matter of fact my picture along with some others was in our yearbook at a dig along the Genesee River. I remember we found a stone circle hearth about two feet down. I saw him at a class reunion about about 10 + years, and the last time I saw him was in the Valley Inn a couple of years ago. I graduated in 1967 so of course he didn't remember me, but he was gracious and friendly and he still had the great sense of humor I remembered. My sincere sympathies to his family. I had no idea so many of his artifacts were at Geneseo. I am anxious to visit Geneseo's Anthropology Department to see them.
Dean V. June
M
Marybeth Pospula Nowak ‘74 lit a candle
Thursday, January 16, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
Please accept my condolences on the passing of Dr. Rhodes. I took his Physical Anthro course and found it to be really hard and really interesting. The skeleton we got to analyze in the Anthropology Lab in Sturges was so different. He was a little scary at first because his approach to things was totally different from any teachers I had ever had before. I wish I had been an Anthro major, but I only took the class to fulfill part of my Core requirements, being in the Education field then. I remember the first class we had: he stomped in, looked around at all our young faces and growled, “BONES! You all want to study BONES?”
I do wish I had had the time to go on one of those digs. But there were always so many chapters to read and books to write papers on... I think of Dr. Rhodes fondly and often.
S
Sam Pifer lit a candle
Thursday, January 16, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
Junior, Morty and Nip and families,
Sorry for the loss of Father he was a great man and always made me feel like part of your family miss all of you my prayers are with you all for peace and serenity at this time R I P Wendell
J
Joni brooks lit a candle
Thursday, January 16, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle.png
Dr. Rhodes was my mom's boss until she passed away in 1971
I still have a monkey pod piece he brought her back from a dig he went on. He was a good man and kind boss
My sincere sympathy to your family
M
Michael Henderson lit a candle
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
//s3.amazonaws.com/skins.funeraltechweb.com/tribute-gestures/Candle3.png
My deepest condolences to Kevin, Mark and Eric of the loss of your father. I fondly remember your father inviting me on some of his "digs" in the valley as a young boy spurring my interest in the field of Anthropology. RIP Mr. Rhodes
Mike Gumpper uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
/public-file/99/Ultra/d51a0b91-f9dc-4643-bfe9-b6621eb8d72d.png
/public-file/100/Ultra/4d099038-e3ad-40b7-8a1b-f1108621d5ac.png
/public-file/101/Ultra/edc0c2f0-d755-477d-8cf1-448fc0508f8e.png
/public-file/102/Ultra/ecc60eb1-7cd9-4698-bc5b-1aadab126164.png
+ 5
On Monday, many of us lost a dear friend. I met Wendell in 1987 as a freshman at SUNY Geneseo. I took his intro to physical anthro class. After a few weeks into the semester, he offered everyone an opportunity to go with him to one of the archeological sites he was working on, known as MacCauley, along the Genesee River. He told the class to meet him at his office on Saturday at 7am. I was interested and planned to go but partied a little too hard the night before and never made it. As it turns out, no one showed up. At our next class, with a bit of irritated disappointment in his voice, he said this was his last offer, "meet me at my office this Saturday at 7am." I was the only one to show up. He threw me the keys to the university pickup and said drive. That's where it began, a friendship, journeys, and adventures that lasted a little over 32 years.
He did his best to teach me about classical music, art, and history. We hiked, we paddled, we drove, we ate, we drank... and we laughed. We would stay up late drinking, solving the world's problems, and then do it all over again the next night.
For many years, he was a fixture at the Idiot Olympics, a gathering of brothers from other mothers. We will be gathering for our 21st olympics in the near future and you can bet that he will be right there with us.
Wendell played a large role in who I am today and to his credit, there are dozens of other former students out there who will say the same thing.
Farewell friend.
3
The family of Wendell D. Rhodes, PhD uploaded a photo
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
/tribute-images/828/Ultra/Wendell-Rhodes-PhD.jpg
Please wait
111 Main Street - Geneseo, NY 14454 - Phone: 585-243-0995 - Fax : 585-243-0984 - rhfhinc@frontiernet.net