Rodney A Abraham
June 04, 1945 - September 06, 2016
Obituary
MADISON/NOKOMIS, FLORIDA—Rodney A. Abraham, age 71, of Madison, WI and Nokomis, FL, passed away on Tuesday, September 6th, 2016. Born on June 4th, 1945, Rodney graduated from DeForest High School in 1963 and earned a B.S. in Ag Economics with a Business minor from UW-Madison in 1967. He enjoyed a distinguished 30-year sales career at Dictaphone/Pitney Bowes in Madison, WI and retired as a district manager in Springfield, IL. Rodney earned multiple awards including the prestigious Vice President's award, and annual Achievement Club qualifications. Later he built the Middleton Allstate-Abraham Agency (AAA), with Nichole Nunez's help as his office manager, and said, "It was the best job I ever had!" Rodney served in the Wisconsin Air National Guard for 27 years at Truax Field in Civil Engineering and retired as an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant-Civil Engineer. He was a member of the Gideon's International and the Downtown Madison Optimist Club for almost 50 years including serving as President and Lt. Governor. Rod was a life long Packer's fan and he instilled in his children a special love for Crystal Lake. Rod always enjoyed camping with the family and his beloved dogs Josie and York. He also enjoyed canoeing, playing hearts, traveling, and especially hunting and overseeing tree harvests at "The Farm." Rod was a friend to every stranger and every child's favorite playmate. Survivors include his wife, Gudrun Scheerer; children, Mark (Cara), Daniel (Azhena), Aaron (Laura), Amy (Prof. Dr. Martin) Ruckes; his former wife and the mother of his children, Nancy (Abraham) Budds; his step-children, Sandra (Willy) Warzas, Ilka (Michael) Hirner; 17 grandchildren; sister and brothers, Howard (Diana) Abraham, Roger (Sharon) Abraham, and Ann Abraham (Dr. Daniel) Malone. Rod had special affection for his nephew Brian, who was like a son to him in the last few years. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alice Abraham-Burkhalter; father Ervin Abraham; stepfather, Rudy Burkhalter. Rod and his family would like to say thank you to Hospice Agrace and a very special "Thank You" Dr. Elke Jordan and Dr. James Causer and staff for their loving care. Memorial Services will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Ave., Middleton, on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. A service with military honors will begin at 2 pm. Offer online condolences at www.GundersonFH.com.
Events
Memorial Service
Sat Sep 10, 2016 @ 2:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of Rodney have been shared yet.
Memories
AM
Ann Malone
Other •
I will always remember you, my dear brother and your zest for life, fun loving spirit of adventure--camping, canoeing and traveling. I miss you very much. Keep the rainbows coming. Thank you letting us all know you arrived in heaven quickly. We found the 'white eagle' you saw flying across the lake out at Gunderson Funeral Home. No coincidences.
Love sister Ann
JH
Jeri Hammond
Other •
Gudrun and family, I am so sorry for your loss! Rodney was a very special friend and full of love, life and laughter. I am so glad I got to spend time with him this past Sunday. I never said Good Bye to him just I'll see you later! My heart goes out to the family as you get through these tough times! Please always remember he made everyone smile!
MJ
Mark Jeffries
Other •
I never met Rod Abraham, but he was my Allstate representative for a number of years. He and Nichole Nunez were always very helpful and friendly on the phone.
JG
joanne ganske
Other •
What a wonderful Optimist member Rod was....he will be missed greatly in the SWIS District.
NN
Nichole Nunez
Other •
I worked with Rod Abraham for 10 years and I saw over and over again what a good man he was! He was a genuinely nice person, always going out of his way to help anyone who needed it, even if he didn't know the person. I have often times said that I consider it a blessing to have been able to work for Rod, he wasn't only my boss, he was my friend and treated me as if I was family. He always had so many stories to tell, many that would leave me laughing for days. His love for his family was always very evident, my heart goes out to them for their loss of a great husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
TS
Tammy Shallberg
Other •
What a beautiful man I had the pleasure of selling his home in Sun Prairie. One of the sweetest kindest guys I know. Rest in Peace so sorry for your loss.