Rodney Dean Doepke

In Loving Memory

Rodney Dean Doepke

The funeral for Rodney Dean Doepke, 59, of Casper, WY will be Friday July 1, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Casper, with Pastor Jack Damien officiating. A Family and Friends Prayer Service & Visitation is Thursday June 30th, 2016 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Our Saviors Lutheran Church.

He died Thursday June 23, 2016 at his home in Casper, surrounded by his family, after an 8 month battle with Cancer.

Mr. Rodney Dean Doepke was born August 17, 1956 at Turtle Lake, North Dakota, son of Rodney Carvell Doepke and Doris Anne (Zeamer) Tordoff. His family moved to Jamestown, North Dakota where he received his education and graduated from Jamestown High School in May 1974.

He and Cheryl Ann Blinsky were married September 20, 1975 at St Paul Lutheran Church, in Wimbledon, North Dakota. They lived in Jamestown, North Dakota until February 1977 when Mr. Doepke joined the United States Navy.

Boot Camp was in San Diego, CA from 2/1977 - 5/1977. From there he went to TM "A" School SSC in Orlando, Fl. His first duty station was on the USS Proteus (AS 19), stationed in the Mariana Islands, GUAM USA. From there he cross decked to the USS Hunley (AS 31) from 10/1978 - 7/1979. During his time stationed in GUAM, USA, his twin daughters, Michelle Ann and Danelle Lynn were born.
In July 1979 through 12/1979 he attended BEE/TM "C" School SSC in Orlando, Fl..
From 12/1979 through 12/1981 he was stationed at Ordnance/MSAUW NAVSTA in the Aleutians Island, Adak, AK.

Rodney Dean and Cheryl Ann Doepke divorced in November 1981.
From 12/1981 - 11/1983 Mr. Doepke was stationed at NAVAIRSTA Jacksonville, Fl.
In 11/1983 - 12/1983 he attended the Basic Enlisted Submarine School, in Groton, CT.
From 12/1983 through 3/1985 he served on the USS George C Marshall (SSBN 654), Groton, CT.
From 3/1985 to 10/1985 Mr. Doepke returned to his home state of North Dakota.
In 10/1985 TM1 Doepke, attended NAV ET Training SSC San Diego, CA.
From there he served on the USS Hyman G Rickover (SSN 709) from 10/1985 to 1/1988, Norfolk, VA.
In 1/1988 - 9/1990 he was stationed at the NAVWPNSTA, Yorktown, VA.

From 9/1990 - 10/1992 TM1 (SS) Rodney D. Doepke served on the USS Parche (SSN 683) stationed at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINSY) CA. He served as the Torpedo Division Leading Petty Officer. The USS Parche (SSN 683) was the most decorated Submarine in the United States Naval history.

On April 6, 1991 Rodney Dean and Cheryl Ann Doepke remarried at the Grace Lutheran Church in Bismarck, North Dakota with Pastor Korman officiating. During their wedding ceremony Pastor Korman said "Rod and Cheryl "took time out" to "write their own stories". And that is exactly what they did. Their daughters, Michelle and Danelle, stood at the alter with them. Memorial Day weekend after their daughters had finished the school year in Bismarck, ND, Cheryl, Michelle, Danelle and their dog Cuddles, drove to Mare Island, CA to join their husband and father. The adventures of life continued for his family, there was a lot of love, laughter, joy and happiness between them.

In 10/1992 TM1 (SS) Rodney D. Doepke was Honorable Discharged from the United States Navy on a Medical Disability. Rod and Cheryl decided to move their family to Casper, WY, to finish raising their daughters and living life.

In Casper, Mr. Doepke worked for 5 different companies through out the years as a welder and fabricator. He was a Disabled American Veteran and they all treated him well. He went to Casper College Partime and earned an Machinist Degree, graduating in May 2000.

Mr. Doepke's last employer was Able Equipment. According to Mr. and Mrs. Darren Osborn, owners of Able Equipment, Mr. Doepke was "one of their best ever fabricators, welder and good ol'boy. Dean was a good hearted man, he was top of the line, just fantastic at what he did".

Mr. Doepke's favorite hobby was drag racing and building cars through the years with Junior, Michael, Marlon and Gary.

He lived life to the best of his ability, loved his family and always put them first.

He was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans HJ Leak Chapter One, Casper, WY, also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9439 and also a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Casper, WY.

Survivor's include his wife Cheryl Doepke; twin daughters; Michelle (Jeremy) Virtue and Danelle (Jon) Schaffner, his grandchildren; Jacob Dean Schaffner, Zackary Chase Virtue, Alexander Raymond Virtue and Waverly Lynn Schaffner, his father; Rodney Carvell Doepke, his brothers; Duane A Doepke and Dale W. (Peggy) Doepke, and his step brother Steven (Jennifer) Weixel. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-laws, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, Aunts and Uncles and numerous friends, from all over the world.

Mr. Doepke was preceded in death by his grandson; Caelan Dean Virtue, his mother Doris Tordoff, his step-father Harold "Bud" Tordoff, his step mother Shirley Doepke, his mother and father-in-law Harold and Kathleen Blinsky, and his brother-in- law-Duane A Blinsky

Words of wisdom from Mr. Doepke to his family these past months was that "this is the circle of life and he has no regrets".

Memorials in his name may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, H.J. Leik Chapter One, C/O Commander Bob Williams, 143 North Washington, Casper, WY, 82601.

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