Rodney (Rod) and Rose Worden
1935 – May 9, 2016
John Rodney Worden was born in Tacoma, Washington in 1935 to Hazel and Jack Worden. He attended the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in physics, where he met Rose Herrick. They were married in 1957. Rod worked for over a decade at Boeing in Kent, WA. Rod’s career as a physicist at Boeing and other smaller laser/optics companies put him at the forefront of developing optical technology for everything from spy satellites to 3D imaging. He inherited his father’s love for architecture and designed and built our house on Dash Point in Federal Way, WA. He was also an avid kayaker, hiker and camper.
A pivotal point in Rod’s life came when he and Rose decided to join theInstitute of Cultural Affairs (ICA). This choice to be part of an organization dedicated to social justice grew out of Rod’s deep concern for civil-rights. Rod and Rose remained involved with the ICA for the rest of their lives and served in Seattle, New York City, Venezuela, Atlanta, Orlando and Mexico City.
Rod and Rose retired to Litibu beach near Higuera Blanca, Nayarit, Mexico in 1992, where they built the first house in what would become the Litibu EcoVillage, a small village of retired ICA colleagues. Rod designed his house and several others to use solar energy, rain water collection, and separate gray water and septic systems, with the goal of environmentally sustainable living. Tragically, Rose died of cancer in 1995, shortly after the home was completed.
Our dad passed on to us his love of nature and science. We treasure our memories of camping and hiking in pristine mountain areas of Washington and California and going on wild rides through Venezuela and Mexico in search of the perfect, secluded beach. These traits: the desire to explore, to build, and to understand nature will always remain with us and his grandchildren.
Rodney is survived by his sister, Meri, three children and their spouses: Elaine & Todd, Helen and Michael, and John and Pam, and four grandchildren: Sarah and Matthew Worden and Emma and Ben Worden Sapper.
~~ Authors: Elaine, Helen and John (Worden)
Rose Worden
Jan 31, 1938 – Sept 17, 1995
Celebrating the Life Journey of
Rose Elaine Herrick Worden
A Service of Death and Resurrection
The Gathering in the Meadow
Forming and blessing
the sacred space and the sacred community
I. Memory and Thanksgiving
Song: Journey On
Scripture and Poetry: Psalm 121 and Iroquois Prayer
Remembering Rose: family and community
Prayers of Thanksgiving
II. The Cycle of Dying and Living
Song: The Rose
Scripture and poetry: Romans 8 and Wendell Berry
Reflection
III. The Continuing Journey
Song: Those Who Wait on the Lord
Scripture and poetry: John 14: 20; 11-18 and Nezahualcoyotl
Committal and Release
Prayers for Rose and the Community
The Lord’s Prayer