IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Roderick Keats
Liechty
January 1, 2015
Obituary
Roderick "Rod" Keats Liechty, 81, son of Edward Liechty and Olive Winteregg, was born July 11, 1933, in Berne and passed peacefully Thursday, Jan. 1, at Elkhart General Hospital.
Rod spent his life pursuing art, education and activism. He graduated from Taylor University and received his master's degree at Ball State University. He was U.S. Army veteran, a former city zoning administrator and an educator.
He taught art at high schools in Berne, Wolcottville, Goshen and Elkhart. Outside the classroom, Rod would lend his time and knowledge assisting others with their own art projects. He had memberships to museums all over the country, and would encourage friends and family to join him in attending. At the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, Rod was a frequent contributor and patron, having won multiple awards.
Rod was a force for justice, often using art and freedom of speech to affect change. Rod was a faithful servant of the Elkhart County Democratic Party, serving over the years in various offices and duties. He regularly participated in marches across the country regarding women's issues, abolition of torture, climate change, the end of racial oppression and Native American rights.
Rod was a member at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart since 1964. They appreciated his work with children, participation in the adult forum discussions, commitment to social justice, and displaying his art and helping others find their inner artist.
He is survived by two sisters, Rochelle (Jud) Lehman of Fort Wayne and Rebekah (Jim) Sprunger of Pandora, Ohio; two daughters, Dawn (Mark) Slaughter of Noblesville and Rochelle Liechty Williams of Elkhart; and grandchildren Becca and Matt Slaughter and Zephyr Williams.
Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to ACRES Land Trust, 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at UUFE, 1732 Garden St., Elkhart. The Rev. Amy DeBeck will officiate.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is assisting the family with arrangements.
Rod spent his life pursuing art, education and activism. He graduated from Taylor University and received his master's degree at Ball State University. He was U.S. Army veteran, a former city zoning administrator and an educator.
He taught art at high schools in Berne, Wolcottville, Goshen and Elkhart. Outside the classroom, Rod would lend his time and knowledge assisting others with their own art projects. He had memberships to museums all over the country, and would encourage friends and family to join him in attending. At the Midwest Museum of American Art in Elkhart, Rod was a frequent contributor and patron, having won multiple awards.
Rod was a force for justice, often using art and freedom of speech to affect change. Rod was a faithful servant of the Elkhart County Democratic Party, serving over the years in various offices and duties. He regularly participated in marches across the country regarding women's issues, abolition of torture, climate change, the end of racial oppression and Native American rights.
Rod was a member at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart since 1964. They appreciated his work with children, participation in the adult forum discussions, commitment to social justice, and displaying his art and helping others find their inner artist.
He is survived by two sisters, Rochelle (Jud) Lehman of Fort Wayne and Rebekah (Jim) Sprunger of Pandora, Ohio; two daughters, Dawn (Mark) Slaughter of Noblesville and Rochelle Liechty Williams of Elkhart; and grandchildren Becca and Matt Slaughter and Zephyr Williams.
Contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to ACRES Land Trust, 1802 Chapman Road, Huntertown, IN 46748.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, at UUFE, 1732 Garden St., Elkhart. The Rev. Amy DeBeck will officiate.
Billings Funeral Home of Elkhart is assisting the family with arrangements.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roderick Keats Liechty, please visit our flower store.
Services
Memorial Service
January
4
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Elkhart
Starts at 3:00 pm