Goodbye to a
Leader and a Friend
Our club, the Insulin Pumpers Support Group, is here
today—for
us—because John Rodosevich led the way. Thanks, John, for all you did. We’ll do our best
to carry on…
John Rodosevich, 69 years old, was a
father, husband, retired mechanical engineer and generous-spirited supporter of
people with diabetes on insulin pumps. He died September 5 in hospital
surrounded by his family.
John was born in Colorado and grew up in
Wyoming where for 12 years he attended St. Stephens School on an Indian reservation.
He was the oldest of six children; his father was a printer and his mother a
teacher.
He attended Seattle University and retired
from the South Bay Power Plant five years ago. He also worked for Dynergy, on the
Exxon Valdez cleanup, and on soil reclamation projects in Newfoundland.
John developed Type 1 diabetes at age 18
and in 1982 became one of the first people to wear an insulin pump. He quickly
organized The San Diego Insulin Pumpers support group in 1983, which he ran for
almost 30 years. At the monthly meetings, he brought in speakers from medicine
and industry to teach pumpers and their loved ones about diabetes and the
technology that supported them, as well as providing a comfortable environment
for sharing experiences with diabetes. He also researched and wrote a lively
monthly newsletter that he sent to his extensive mailing list of pump wearers
and health care providers.
John also provided care, assistance, and
support in clean-ups and housing repair for flood disaster victims throughout
the country. He supported and judged high school science and robotics
competitions in San Diego. He loved gardening, flowers, music, dancing, and
kite flying.
John is survived by his wife Maricela;
three children, Angela, Peter, and Eileen; five grandchildren; a nephew and
wife, Rickie and Kathleen Soto and their three children. In addition, survivors
are his five siblings, Jim, Mary Rose, Iris, Carol, and Anna.
His memorial service will be held October 1 at 11:00 at St. Martins of Tours Church, 7710 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942.
His memorial service will be held October 1 at 11:00 at St. Martins of Tours Church, 7710 El Cajon Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942.
