[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 188 (Tuesday, November 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF STEVE RODVOLD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEAN PHILLIPS

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 2023

  Mr. PHILLIPS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my condolences to 
the family of Steven J. Rodvold, a lover of family, community, and 
photography, who passed away on October 27, 2023.
  Steve was born on June 14, 1953, in Crosby, North Dakota. He spent 
his childhood in Fortuna and Crosby, during which he met lifelong 
friends, including his wife, Jeanine.
  Steve valued education: after high school, he attended the North 
Dakota State College of Science, earned his journeymen's license, and 
completed a B.A. in Business Administration-Management from Minot State 
University, graduating summa cum laude.
  In all aspects of his life, Steve was a people person. He found his 
career in human resources and generously gave his time as a mentor with 
Big Brothers Big Sisters, a Boy Scout cub den leader, and a volunteer 
at the Grean Plain Food Bank, among other community organizations.
  Steve loved his family dearly. He is survived by his wife of 50 
years, Jeanine, their sons Zach (Emily) and Alex (Sara), and their 
grandchildren, as well as siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. Zach 
carried on Steve's legacy of giving back, serving as my District Chief 
of Staff for four years.
  Steve's love of his family was apparent in his actions, as well as 
his words: on his Linkedln profile, he proudly designated for himself 
the job title of ``Grandpa'' for the years following his retirement. As 
part of this important position, Steve declared himself to be an expert 
at ``relaxing, reading, walking/hiking, biking, kayaking, putzing 
around the garage, traveling, watching movies, and whatever the hell 
else I feel like doing.''
  Steve liked to see the good in the world, especially the beauty 
around him. He supported and was involved in local arts institutions. 
As a photographer, he captured natural beauty, from sunsets over the 
Badlands to the changing of the seasons. As with his other pursuits, 
Steve did not keep his passion to himself, actively participating in 
the Fargo Moorhead Camera Club.
  Steve lived a fulfilled life, and the lessons of it--to give 
something to community, take pleasure in loved ones, and remain in awe 
of the beauty in the people and places around us--will certainly 
continue to serve as a model for those whose lives he touched. May his 
memory be a blessing and live on through all who knew and loved him.

                          ____________________