Carl Manuel Rodarty
Carl Manuel Rodarty died August 19, 2015. He was born October 6, 1921 in Los Angeles, California as the only child to Candido and Laura (Tulette) Rodarty. Growing up his parents shared their love for the outdoors and spent many hours camping, collecting arrowheads and other artifacts and fishing throughout the country. Carl graduated from John Marshall High School, Los Angeles, CA in 1939 and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California school of Chemical Engineering in 1943. While at USC Carl was a member of the USC men's gymnastics team. Upon graduation Carl moved to Berkeley, California to work with the Standard Oil Company in Oakland.
In 1947 Carl joined ARAMCO (Arabian American Oil Company) and began his 25 year sojourn working overseas. Carl met his future wife, Kaethe Brose, from Bentheim, Germany while crossing the English Channel going to England. After corresponding for two years, Kaethe flew from England to meet Carl on Bahrain Island for their wedding. They spent 14 years in Saudi Arabia exploring the country, learning the culture and language, immersing themselves with the people and thoroughly enjoying their time there. They loved spending time meeting the Bedouin tribes and eventually adopted a native Saluki hound and were among the first to bring this desert breed to the United States.
They left Saudi Arabia in 1961 and moved back to the San Francisco Bay Area until leaving in 1962 to move to Tripoli, Libya with Oasis Oil Company. While in Tripoli Carl was responsible for laboratory operations in town as well as at the remote desert drilling sites.
During their time abroad Carl and Kaethe traveled extensively and enjoyed taking a PanAmerican Around the World Clipper trip in 1951. They also crossed the Atlantic on the SS Rotterdam bringing three Salukis back to the United States onboard with them.
Carl returned to California in 1973 taking a position with CONOCO in Ventura, California where he has made his home ever since. Carl retired from CONOCO in 1985.
Carl and Kaethe became active in the Saluki Club of America traveling to the Lexington, Kentucky in support of the desert breed show.
Carl was past president of the Ondolando Club and spent many years hosting the Friday Night Social Hour. He was active in the Ventura Rhineland Club, the Chevron Retirees Association and V8 Car Club. He enjoyed square dancing and was a member of the Ventura B'n & B's Square Dancing Club for many years. Carl was a Lifetime Member of the USC Alumni Association and member of the Petroleum Production Pioneers, the American Petroleum Institute of California Coastal Chapter, the American Chemical Society, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Carl was a devoted husband and father. He and Kaethe enjoyed the company of their close friends hosting many special tea times spent telling stories and sharing laughs.
He was an unassuming, humble man and helped many people along the way. He enjoyed watching baseball, soccer and basketball.
Carl was proceeded in death by his wife, Kaethe (Brose) Rodarty (1921-2008) and son, Bruce Carl Rodarty (1952-2007). He is survived by daughter Laurie (Tim) Rodarty- Ehrich; and granddaughter, Isabel Ehrich of Corydon, Iowa. Nephew Fritz Lengies of Neiderenhasuen, Germany; Family of Matthias Walther of Munster, Germany; Jim Tulette of Long Beach, CA and Dave Tulette of Los Angeles, CA. Special recognition to his dear friends Mr. and Mrs. Mbarek & Fawzia Khalifa Quartz Hill, CA and Mrs. Sigrid Parmenter Ventura, CA.
The family is grateful for the care provided over the years by his caregivers and the wonderful friendship of his neighbors and his Monday morning breakfast group.
Final arrangements were handled by the Neptune Society of Santa Barbara. A private memorial service was held August 29,2015 with a scattering of ashes off the Ventura Channel Islands followed by a luncheon with family and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse & Hospice Association, 1996 Eastman Ave., Ste. 101, Ventura, CA 93003.