Oct. 8, 1959 — July 14, 2023
John Stephen Roden, 63, of Ashland, passed away on July 14. John was born in Syracuse, New York, on Oct. 8, 1959.
John graduated from the University of Washington in 1987 and obtained a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis. While at Davis, John met and married the love of his life, Lin.
John and Lin lived in Australia for three years conducting research at the Australian National University, then spent another three years conducting research at the University of Utah. After that, John was a biology professor at Southern Oregon University from 1999 until his recent retirement. He explored his research interests in plant ecology and biogeochemistry, with an emphasis on trees and forest ecosystems. He studied how stable isotopes in tree rings are affected by climate change.
In 2019, John and his daughters, Alison and Audrey, mourned the passing of Lin.
John was a man of deep faith and an active member of Ashland Christian Fellowship. His service to others included opening his home to those in need and building houses in Mexico.
In his retirement, John traveled and pursued his many passions, including backpacking, skiing, kayaking, biking, scuba diving and photography.
John drowned in a kayaking accident on the Thompson River in British Columbia.
He is survived by his daughters Alison Roden and Audrey Chaplin, his mother, Gloria Roden, and by his brothers, David, James and Robert.
Ashland Christian Fellowship will hold a memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at Ashland Christian Fellowship, 50 West Hersey St, Ashland. Donations to John’s favorite organization, Helping Hands, would further the charitable work he did during his lifetime. Go to helpinghandsinternational.com.
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