Rodney Weston Kilcup of Silverton, Oregon succumbed to Alzheimer's disease on April 21, 2021. He died in peace and at home, surrounded by the love of his family. He is dearly missed by those whose lives he touched.

Rodney was born in Hoquiam, Washington in 1937 to Horace and Winnifred Kilcup. His parents raised him in a loving Christian home along with his four younger brothers, Bob, Steve, Larry, and Brian. As a young man Rodney enlisted in the United States Army and, for reasons of religious conscience, served as a noncombatant medic. Following an honorable discharge, he studied history at the University of Washington—the first in his family to pursue higher education. He later earned a PhD in history at Harvard University and began a professional academic career that spanned four decades. Rodney served as a history professor at multiple universities, including the University of Chicago, the University of Washington, and the University of Notre Dame. He later served as dean at Kentucky State University and provost at Alaska Pacific University and Chaminade University.

Though Rodney was blessed with an intellectual temperament that was decidedly calm, the life God gave him was anything but. Rodney flew single propeller planes over mountains in Alaska and hunted moose in the northern interior. He hiked throughout the Pacific Northwest as a member of the Seattle Mountaineers. He rode his beloved Honda Valkyrie motorcycle across the western states. He taught his children to ski. In his later years, he was a prodigious bicyclist, logging thousands of miles on country roads in the Willamette Valley. One of his proudest accomplishments was completing the 200-mile Seattle-to-Portland bike race three times in his 70s. Rodney raised children in his younger and later years, his oldest graduating high school when he was 39, his youngest when Rodney was 68.

Rodney was a dedicated husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle. As "Dad," Rodney was consistently cooperative in acquiescing to his family's agenda. He patiently endured many mediocre movies for the sake of family harmony. In his semi-retirement, Rodney served his family as the householder. He kept up a beautiful yard and garden, and had a special affection for spring, when the flowers he tended came into bloom. Rodney cooked many perfectly adequate supper meals for the family. He distinguished himself more in breakfast fare, especially his oatmeal pancakes and grilled sausages. Every night before bed, until the progression of his disease made it impossible, Rodney tidied the kitchen, locked the doors, told his family he loved them, and turned off the lights.

Rodney was a man of faith. He loved Jesus Christ and lived a life indelibly shaped by that love. He and his wife Jodi worshiped at St. Mary Catholic Church. They also attended mass frequently at Mount Angel Abbey. Rodney could often be found there at midday prayer after a morning spent perusing books at the Abbey Library.

Rodney is survived by Jodi Kilcup, his loving wife of 41 years, who cared for him until the end. He is also survived by his children Greg Kilcup, Kate Marsh, and James Kilcup, his grandsons Max Kilcup and Weston Marsh, and his brothers Steve, Larry, and Brian Kilcup. Rodney was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bob.

Rodney's funeral mass will be held at St. Mary Catholic Church in Mount Angel, Oregon on Thursday, April 29, at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Mount Angel Abbey or Willamette Valley Hospice.