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Rodney Coleman - Class of 1957

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 27/May/2024
97.124.252.171

          Rodney A. Coleman was the second born son to parents Samuel and Reba (Beldon) Coleman in Newburgh, NY. He is preceded in death by his brother Eugene and parents.

Rodney spent his years growing up in Newburgh playing the drums in his band The Impressions and playing baseball and basketball. In sports he excelled at both. "Rod" lead the league in batting and pitching and was awarded "The Jackie Robinson Players Award" for outstanding performance in the Optimistic Little League of Newburgh in 1950. Jackie Robinson wrote a letter to him encouraging him "to work hard, because it means hard work and many sacrifices to be a fine ball player and or athlete… but also to get a good education." Rodney received the PONY Baseball Man of the Year, Newburgh, 1960. In college he played basketball. Rodney graduated from Howard University School of Architecture with a bachelors degree in 1963. Upon graduation he was commissioned as second lieutenant through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. Rodney served on active duty from 1963 to 1973 attaining the rank of Captain and compiled a distinguished career as an Air Force civil engineering officer. During his Air Force career, Rodney was directly responsible for the design and construction management of military facility projects worldwide. One of his proudest projects was serving as project architect for the renovation and addition to the prestigious Bolling Air Force Base Officers Club, the largest Air Force officers club in the world. Rodney served in Vietnam as Director of Operations and Maintenance, DCS/Civil Engineering, Headquarters 7th AF, Tan Son Nhut, Air Base and as Chief Engineering and Construction, 366th Engineering Squadron, Da Nang, Air Base from October 1971 to October 1972. He also served time at Kunsan Air Force Base in Korea from March 1965 to April 1966 as an Engineering Officer. He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal, the U.S. Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Technical Service Honor Medal- First Class. Rodney also served as an augmented officer-in-charge of the elite U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. In 1970, he was one of 17 individuals appointed by the President as a White House Fellow and served as Special Assistant to the Secretary for Interior.

After separating from the Air Force, Rodney was appointed executive assistant to The Chairman of the District of Columbia City Council. From 1978 until 1980 Rodney was architectural design consultant to The Pennsylvania Avenue Development Corporation in Washington, DC, Rodney joined General Motors in 1980 and served successfully as Director of Government Relations, Director of Municipal Affairs, and Executive Director of Urban and Municipal Affairs.

In 1994, Rodney was appointed by the President as an Assistant Secretary of the Air Force. During his four year tenure, Rodney was responsible for the oversight of manpower, reserve affairs, installations, and environmental activities. Upon retirement as assistant secretary, Rodney was the Executive Vice President of Corporate Planning and Public Affairs at ICF Kaiser International, Inc. His retirement in 2005 was as a Partner in the lobbying firm Alcade and Fay in Washington, DC. Throughout his career he held numerous positions of leadership and was a mentor to many.

Rodney moved to Tampa in 2005 to enjoy the sunshine, golf and retirement. In 2006, Rodney married his beloved Sharon (Thornburgh Brown), whom he affectionately called "My Boo". Together, Rodney and Sharon enjoyed traveling and entertaining in their home. Rodney's "Boo", Sharon was always by his side, providing loving care and encouragement throughout his illness. Rodney will be dearly missed by his children: daughter Terri (Victor) Jones; son Stephen (Allison) Coleman and stepsons Damien (Donna), and Devon (Karen) Brown; along with five grandchildren that he adored: Victor, Myah, Chloe, Mia and Nathan. - - October 12, 1938 - June 6, 2022

Services at Old Chapel Hall, 100 Carpenter Road, Ft. Myer, VA Wednesday, May 29, 2024, 3 p.m.
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Published by The Washington Post on May 26, 2024.