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Carl P. Rodolph, PE, Col. USA, 81, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, February 6, 2007, at the Colorado State Veterans Nursing Facility in Walsenberg, CO. Carl was born on January 17, 1926, in Oklahoma to Carl Pettus and Mattie Lee (Keeter) Rodolph. He was graduated from high school in Gladewater, TX, and immediately joined the US Army in 1943. He became a tail gunner in a B-29 and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism in battle in the Pacific theater. Carl returned from the service to study management at Texas Tech University, where he also played football. While there he met and married Dolores (Dorie) Rosenbaum and they were happily married until her untimely death in 1996. They had six children: Michael, Joe, Patricia, Ben, Abe, and John (deceased). After graduation, he rejoined the US Army, this time in the Corps of Engineers, receiving a Civil Engineering degree from the USM (Rolla). They moved to Albuquerque in 1980 after Carl retired from the Army in Hawaii. He soon became the city Director of Municipal Development, responsible for the planning and publication of the City of Albuquerque Development Process Manual. He left the city services to serve as head of Greiner, Inc., where he retired again. Shortly afterward, Mayor Louis Saavedra asked him to become acting director of the city Aviation Department, where he oversaw a 400-million dollar modernization of the Albuquerque Sunport. While in Albuquerque, he became very active in the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers, serving as Chapter President, State President, and Director to the National Society of Professional Engineers. He took his professional Engineering license seriously and was the heart and soul of the state society for some 20 years. He received awards of Engineer of Year and Ingeniero Veterano de Nuevo Mejico. He was also active in the Society of American Military Engineers and multiple Veterans organizations. Carl was a long-time member of Hoffmantown Church. Carl's rejoining the military led to a 30-year career that was served with distinction. He was responsible for military engineering work in support of major Army and Navy construction and contract work worldwide. During this career, he served with the 101st Airborne and again proved heroism by receiving two Silver Stars in separate combat engagements. He received an MS in International Affairs at George Washington University and graduated from the Command and General Staff College and the National War College. Carl earned the Eagle Scout award as a teenager and this established a value system that stuck with him through the rest of his life. Loyalty to God and the United States were without compromise. He had a firm handshake, he looked you in the eye, and he offered an infectious grin that immediately made you want to like him. When his value system was challenged, he would defend it with vim and vigor, but he was always tolerant of diversity in opinion and action. Always trim and fit, he skied and played handball into his 70s. In skiing, he liked the slopes steep and fast, and he specialized in fast reactions and a competitive spirit in handball. Carl met and fell in love with Kathleen (Kathy) Testolin, whom he married in 1997. They moved to Angel Fire in 2002 and he kept up his longtime hobby of home building and renovation. He became an active member of the Angel Fire Baptist church and further served his community with the Angel Fire Fire Department Support Team. Carl is survived by his wife, Kathy, and five children. The sons live in Albuquerque and Patricia lives with her husband in Phoenix. He is also survived by his sister, Mollie Krattiger (husband, Tom) of Albuquerque, and brother, James (wife, Nancy), from Tucson. Extended family includes 4 grandchildren and a niece and nephew. Carl was cremated and will be buried at a later date. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 12, 1:00 p.m., at Hoffmantown Church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to the New Mexico Engineering Foundation, P.O. Box 3828, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87190-3828 or the Disabled American Veterans Department of NM, P.O. Box 3907, Station D, Albuquerque, NM 87190. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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