Born on the family farm in Wyndmere, North Dakota, on October 28, 1926, to Faye and Frank Rhodenbaugh, the fifth of six children, Rhody passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. He was just shy of 90 years old. He attended public school in Wyndmere until 1944, leaving early in his senior year for the Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York. He graduated in the Class of 1948 with a degree in electrical engineering and was immediately hired as a Third Engineer for the Cities Service Oil Company tanker fleets (now Citgo), quickly moving up the ranks to Chief Engineer, a position he held for over 35 years. Upon retirement, he sailed for Totem Ocean and Sea Land Transports on their Washington-Alaska route. All told, 41 years of maritime service and always a proud Kings Pointer! Rhody was a farmer turned Old Ocean, Texas rancher who could successfully lead his herd of beautiful Black Brangus cattle into the pen with a bale of hay on the skid of his tractor. No horses required, much to the chagrin of his young daughter he remained a life member of the Southwest and Texas Cattle Ranchers Association. He permanently retired to Brazoria, Texas, in 1986 where he spent his days volunteering for the Brazoria Library and Habitat for Humanity. Always a master tinkerer, Rhody custom welded metal lamp posts, built plexiglass and metal tables, and was always available to fix anything from children's bicycles to lawnmowers, trucks, and tractors. It was during theses years that he also developed a passion for walking (seven miles a day!) and was a regular morning and evening walker in his neighborhood and at the Brazos Mall. He always had a good joke to tell and loved to make people all over town laugh… even if you had heard it before. Dean Rhodenbaugh is survived by his former wife, lifetime friend and caregiver, Mary Ruth Rhodenbaugh, of Wild Peach, Texas; his son, Douglas Harris Rhodenbaugh, of Austin, Texas; his daughter, Molly Molenaar, of Salt Lake City, Utah; and grandchildren, Michael Dean and Sophia Grace Molenaar; his sister, Merle Marquiss, of Michigan City, Indiana; and several nieces and nephews. Rhody, at heart, was always a sailor. In his final days, he often asked if we were "in port" and we always answered, "yes, we've just docked." The family wishes to thank Dr. Alkesh Amin and his staff, the care providers at the Fountains, and IPH Hospice for helping him make his final port on his own terms. Your human compassion and dedication to his dignity and quality of life is more treasured than any medical protocol. He, and we, are forever grateful. As per Rhody's wishes, there will be a ceremony in Wyndmere, North Dakota, where his ashes will be buried near his father in the family cemetery. His children and grandchildren will attend.