Paul "Rick" Roderick

Paul “Rick” William Roderick Jr of Lowell found his rest peacefully at home on March 5th at the age of 76.

Rick is joined in Paradise by his parents, his best friend Daniel Larabee, nephew Michael Krause, and many well-loved pets over the years. He will be dearly missed by his wife, Gail Ayres-Roderick; his daughter, Emma (David) Wikstrom; his sister, Sharon (Pete) Krause; nephew, Tim (Heike) Krause; nephew, Casey (Stephanie) Krause; many great and great-great nieces and nephews; and innumerable friends who felt like family.

Rick was born in Livonia, Michigan, to Paul and Marjorie Roderick on June 19, 1949, and led, in his words, an idyllic “Leave it to Beaver” childhood. In his youth, Rick was active in the Boy Scouts and his high school swim team, beginning a lifelong affinity for the water and water sports. Rick went on to study Biology at Eastern Michigan University, fueling a passion for animals and nature that he would carry throughout his life. He became an accomplished horseback rider and enjoyed many years of trail riding all across West Michigan. 

After college, he moved to the Grand Rapids area to grow his career in sales, eventually settling in Lowell. Wanting to serve his new community, Rick joined the Lowell Police Department Rescue Squad in 1981 after seeing an advertisement in the paper. He was given a new nickname that he wore with pride, Uncle Paul.

He quickly rose through the ranks and was eventually named a Captain in 1987, and won Rescue Person of the Year in 1989. In 1990, the Lowell Police Department Rescue Squad merged with the Lowell Area Fire Department, where he again rose through the ranks to Captain before his retirement in 2016. Over the years, he collected many stories of his time in the fire service, many becoming almost legendary as he was a master storyteller.

Apart from his work in the fire service, he was an avid motorcycle rider. Starting with a Honda Gold Wing and finishing his motorcycle years with an Indian. He was fortunate to have taken many motorcycle trips across the country with his fire brothers, adding even more stories to his books.

Rick’s final “toy” was a Shelby Cobra, his dream car. When Rick was a young man, he met Carroll Shelby, who patiently answered Rick’s many questions. That interaction had a profound impact on Rick, and when retelling the story, it was not uncommon for Rick to get a little misty, recounting how kind Shelby was and how he talked to him like an adult. Owning his own Cobra was a true highlight of his life; his family continues to be very thankful he was able to enjoy it before health concerns became insurmountable.

There will not be a public service, and instead, his ashes will be spread in places his family knows held great meaning to Rick. His family also wishes that if you know of one of Rick’s famous stories, please share it with someone new to keep his spirit alive always. If you are moved to make a donation, the family asks that it be directed to Emmanuel Hospice (401 Hall St SW #263, Grand Rapids, MI 49503), as they provided Rick and his family with much support in his final months.