Rob Roden of East Hampton, died on August 11, 2018, from a very aggressive cancer. He was 70 and surrounded by his family.
Born in Manhattan the son of Walter and Frances Barry Roden, Mr. Roden grew up on Long Island, moving to the Hamptons in the 1960s. One of the original group of surfers at Flying Point, Mr. Roden’s “surf-mobile” was a converted ambulance that he drove cross country with his dog, Heidi. In the 1970s and 1980s, he lived and worked in Manhattan as the advertising director for Beverage Media, the largest liquor industry magazine. In the 1990s, he settled in the Hamptons full time and became the national sales Director of Dan’s Papers.
He married Theresa Nevico in 1994 and, in 1997, realized two dreams: the birth of their daughter, Abby, and combining his love for boating with his talents in publishing with the creation of the Captain’s Guide magazine. With the Guide as his foundation, he created an extraordinary life for his family, spending many incredible summers with them on Block Island and traveling extensively to ports along the East Coast and across the Caribbean. In all his travels, Mr. Roden made friends easily, survivors said. He could tell a story better than anyone else, leaving listeners gasping in laughter as he described hilarious exploits.
Mr. Roden had been working on putting together the Antigua Barbuda Hamptons Challenge before he died, the East Coast’s premier sailing event with the largest prize to be found anywhere from Maine to Florida. In true Rob Roden style, the event will still go off as planned. All are invited to join in a celebration of his life at the awards party following the regatta on Saturday, August 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Havens Beach in Sag Harbor. Just say you knew Mr. Roden and make a donation at the door.
Mr. Roden is survived by his wife, Theresa; his daughter, Abby; his sister, Susan Barry Roden; and numerous Barry cousins.
Visiting hours are Wednesday, August 15, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A funeral service will be held Thursday, August 16, at 10 a.m. at the Basilica Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary Church in Southampton. A reception will follow at the home of Maura Sabo, 22 Club Drive, Southampton.
Memorial donations may be made to an education account for his daughter; send a check made out to Abby Roden, with “Education Fund” in the memo line, to Bridgehampton National Bank, ATT: Michael Molinaro, 94 East Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY 11946.