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Rodney Nelson Smith, 69, of Lambertville, MI, passed away Friday, February 14, at the Cleveland Clinic.  He was born in Muncie, Indiana on June 27, 1944 to Clayton “CJ” Smith and Wanda “Sweet” Smith.  He graduated with the class of 1963 from Burris Laboratory High School in Muncie, IN where he was well known as “Smitty.”  He studied Business Education courses at Ball State University and at the University of Maryland. He became a UAW member in 1964 at Wamor Machine Products in Muncie, IN where he was an assembler and joined Local 287.  He went on to proudly serve in the United States Air Force from 1964 to 1968 where he was stationed in Kadina Okinawa earning the rank of Sergeant.

In 1969, Rod joined Local 12 at Champion Spark Plug in Toledo, OH as an assembler.  He was elected Steward and held office on the Executive Committee of the Champion Unit of Local 12 from 1970 to 1972.  He later was elected as Vice Chairman and Recording Secretary of the Unit.  In 1976, he was appointed to the Local 12 staff to service many of the 52 units in the amalgamated local union.  In 1979, he was appointed to the International Union Staff in Region 2B where he serviced UAW members of Chrysler Jeep and independent parts and supplier plants until 1995.  During this time, Rod’s collective bargaining experience came into play, most notably through the AP Parts strike in the mid 1980’s in Toledo, OH where he assisted in maintaining a high morale through a long and bitter strike before reaching a fair and equitable agreement for its members.  Also, during the Teledyne strike in the early 1990’s he was a part of the numerous contract negotiations to reach a fair agreement for its members with Teledyne workers returning to work, unconditionally.

In 1995, Rod was appointed to the Strike Insurance Department and the Veterans’ Department at the UAW Solidarity House in Detroit, MI.  His last and most prideful position was being promoted to Assistant Director of the Strike Insurance Department and Administrator of the National Veterans’ Department.  Throughout his career, he served as instructor for the UAW regional summer school as well as volunteered numerous times for teaching assignments for the UAW scholarship program at the UAW Black Lake Conference Center in Northern Michigan.

Rod served on the Advisory Committee of Veteran’s Employment and Training, Vietnam Monument Commission of Michigan, the Northwest Ohio Area UAW Retirement Board and the Toledo Area Insurance and Welfare Board.  In addition, he was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc., and a contributing member to the Democratic National Committee.

Rod’s unprecedented experience in matters concerning the National Labor Relations Board, arbitration cases, negotiation of labor agreements and closing agreements has earned the respect of many UAW members seeking Rod’s advice well after his retirement in 2000.

Many knew Rod as “Rod Knows” and  “Rotten Rod” with his tough, no holds bar exterior when it came to union negotiations however, he was also known as “Husband”, “Dad”, “Nephew” and “Grandpa” to his loving wife Sherry; children, Robbie, Kelly and Kimmy and beloved aunt, Mary.  He especially cherished his relationship with his Aunt Mary and looked forward to talking with her every day.  His last great achievement was becoming the proud “Grandpa” to Reed and Elle.  He adored them and was a wonderful grandpa to them.  He had an extraordinary love for the great outdoors of Northern Michigan.  He lived for hunting and fishing with his best friends Jack Sizemore and Lauren Nieman amongst many other great friends.  He was the best story teller around.  If you had a chance to sit around a campfire with Rod I’m sure it was memorable.  He was an extraordinary, original person who will be missed by many.  As Rod would sign off to say, “make the best of it and Solidarity Forever!”

Rod is survived by his wife, Sherry “Routhe” Smith; daughter, Kelly (Patrick) Schenavar; daughter, Kimberly Smith; aunt, Mary Crump; grandchildren, Reed and Elle; many loving cousins and his beloved dog Katie “Kay Kay.”  He is preceded in death by his son, Robert Smith and parents Clayton “CJ” and Wanda Smith.

Family and friends will be received starting at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2014, with formal services starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd., Temperance, MI.  In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The American Legion.

Memorial Video: Rodney N. Smith