MOSS, Rodney D.

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, April 14, 2011 Rodney D. Moss, 84, died in Prescott, Ariz., on Tuesday, April 13, 2011, after a long illness. He was born on April 9, 1927, in Oakdale, Neb., to Clarence and Nina (Smith) Moss. During World War II, Rod served his country in the United States Navy. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with B.S. and M.S. degrees in science. He attended Indiana University where he received a doctorate in chemistry. He was a member of Sigma Xi and Phi Lambda Upsilon honoraries. He was also a member of the Chancellor's Club of the University of Nebraska. After graduation, Rod joined the Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Mich., and served for 36 years in a number of research and management positions in the Chemical Physics Laboratory, the E. C. Britton Research Laboratory and in the Pharmaceutical and Agricultural businesses of Dow. Research early in his career led to several patents on plastic stabilizers and biologically active materials. He was an active member of the American Chemical Society having held a number of offices, including Chairman of the Midland, Mich., section. In 1980, he was given the Fellow Award of the Agrochemical Division of the American Chemical Society for outstanding service to that Division where he had held a number of offices. After retirement in Prescott, he was involved in many volunteer activities including church, the Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Yavapai College Foundation Board and Hidden Valley Association. He was a member of the Prescott United Methodist Church where he served on the Staff-Parish Relations Committee and formerly he was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Midland, Mich. Rod traveled extensively and had a lifelong interest in sports, especially fishing, boating and tennis. He was a lover of nature, spending long hours landscaping homes and gardening wherever they lived. Rod was a devoted family man and loved to share hobbies and travel experiences with his wife, Phyllis. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis; two daughters; and two sons-in-law; four grandchildren; and one sister-in-law. Daughter Barbara resides with her husband in West Bloomfield, Mich.; and daughter Betty Jo and her husband reside in Eden Prairie, Minn. His sister-in-law, Eugenie Moss, resides in Cynthiana, Ky. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ronald and Kenneth, and one sister, Marie. A visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2011, at Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home. A memorial service conducted by Pastor Carol Mumford will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 18, at Prescott United Methodist Church. A private family burial will take place at the Midland, Mich., Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider a memorial gift to Prescott United Methodist Church, Yavapai Regional Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospice-Marley House or a charity of choice. Please visit and sign Rod's guestbook at www.ruffnerwakelin.com. The Arizona Ruffner Wakelin Funeral Home assisted the family with the final arrangements. Information provided by survivors.