Roderic Charles Ward

Rod Ward passed away peacefully in his sleep in Fair Oaks on May 26th.  His deeds and devotion as loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, noted architect and planner, and community leader throughout his lifetime are worth remembering.

Rod was born on April 17, 1935 to devout members of the Baha’i Faith in Berkeley, California, and graduated with honors from Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco in 1952, entering as a freshman at Stanford University the same year. He took classes in Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder, and completed his studies at Stanford in 1958 with a graduate degree in Architecture.  

While at Stanford, Rod met the love of his life, Elizabeth Jean Meininger, and they married in her parents’ home in Sacramento on June 18, 1957.  They honeymooned in Yosemite, where Rod had worked in his youth, and where he would later take his family to camp and hike as a favorite destination.  Rod’s life at home revolved around his family, friends, and pets.  He is remembered by all as kind, engaged, and industrious, with an endearing sense of humor.  

Rod served in active duty for the US Navy Civil Engineer Corps between 1958 and 1962, including service on the island of Guam.  His military service continued over 20 years in the Naval Reserves, and he retired as a Captain.

Rod’s architectural career spanned 45 years and included partnerships with Caywood, Knopp, Takata, Hansen and Ward, later founding Ward-Wolstenholm Architects.  His designs include the El Dorado County Administration buildings in Placerville and South Lake Tahoe.   He served as district architect for the San Juan Unified School District for many years, designing Twin Lakes Elementary, Cambridge Heights Elementary, and Dixon High School.  Rod served as president of the California Specifications Institute, and chaired the California Council of the American Institute of Architect’s Codes Steering Committee 1981-91. Their work resulted in substantial updates to the California Uniform Building Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, and Universal Mechanical Codes in 1992.

Rod enjoyed boating, first sailing a 14’ Hobie cat on Lake Folsom, then graduating to motorboats of increasing length, becoming an active member of the Sacramento Yacht Club.  His travels when he was not steering a boat included family camping trips, annual visits to Hawaii, Lake Tahoe, the Smith River, and international destinations, including Kenya.

Throughout his life, Rod participated continually in local community groups and events, serving as president of Carmichael Kiwanis where he was an active member for over 50 years, and chaired their “Taste of Carmichael” event for several years running.  Rod and Jean were enthusiastic volunteers at the annual Sacramento Jazz Festival for many years.

Rod lived through many changes - global population more than tripled during his lifetime.  He grew up in a time before television, and was proficient with a slide rule.  When he learned to drive, gas was about twenty-one cents per gallon, and plastics were virtually non-existent.  He eagerly adopted new technology when he could - his first electronic calculator was the size of a microwave oven.

Rod had high expectations for himself and everyone around him, especially his family.  Rod designed and managed the construction of the first passive solar home in the greater Sacramento area.  His dream of crafting a unique and fitting home underwent multiple iterations, which consumed many late nights at his bedroom desk.  His passion drove our immediate family to build a house together, the one he designed and we would enjoy for many years to follow.  The times spent on land surveys, carpentry and finishing were interesting, where we found ourselves doing some challenging tasks like learning to read blueprints, laying out the foundation, plumbing walls, and nailing plywood on 4” centers.  There were some rough spots, but we were surprised to learn we were pretty good at working as a team.    After two years of construction, we each were proud to have helped bring Rod’s concept to reality.  For his family that wonderful home and garden continue to be a gift and a setting for many of our most precious memories, including the marriage of Rod’s eldest son.

Rod designed the house to be energy efficient while supporting how his family lived - and we always had dinner together.  Rod noticed how our family’s conversations especially before and after mealtimes were some of the most important regular ways that we all connected, so he wanted our new house to enhance those connections.  The center of the house features the kitchen, surrounded by counters where we all could chat as the meals were prepared and the dishes cleaned.   Similar to how each of us helped build our home, Rod’s design of these settings helped build each of us. The spaces he designed and created enhanced the lives of the people moving through them and will continue to do so for many years.

Rod is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Jean Ward, sons Roderic (Rory) Charles Ward, Jr. and wife April Oliveira Ward, Gregory (Greg) John Ward and wife Elizabeth Addison, and Theodore (Tedd) Kevin Ward and wife Sandra Jerabek, their grandchildren Alina and Tessala Larson, Courtney Ward Sukhar and husband Ilya Sukhar, Haley Ward Roeth and husband Hank Roeth, and great-children Sasha, Sam, and Isaac Sukhar, and Jeanette, Henry, and Charles Roeth.

His family wishes to thank the wonderful caregivers at Oakmont of Fair Oaks and VITAS Hospice for the care they have given him during these past months.

Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial donations to Carmichael Kiwanis. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

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