Rodney L Clevenger of Oregon Ohio passed away May 6, 2023, at the Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Rodney was born February 24, 1938, to James Malcolm Clevenger and Ella Mae Browning. Raised with his brother James Michael (pre-deceased), they called the south end of Toledo their home. Upon graduating from Libby High School in 1957, Rod joined the Navy and became a submariner serving on the USS Sirago as an electronics technician. After an honorable discharge in 1961, Rod began his second career working at Dana for 26 years as a toolmaker. Based on his love for windsurfing, Rod started his third career owning and operating Sailboard Alley which became one of the largest windsurfing shops in the Midwest. Rod’s love for windsurfing kept him on a board well into his 70’s continuing to travel across the U.S. and the Caribbean participating in windsurfing regattas.

The love of his life was Nancy Torda-Clevenger, his wife of 60+ years. While home on leave, Rod met Nancy on a blind date with his high school buddy Jim D. In 1962 they were married, and over the next 60+ years, they loved to travel and enjoyed every day in the home they built on the shore of Lake Erie in 1969-1970, where they still live today.

In addition to being a loving husband, Rod cherished his two children Jim Clevenger (Vicki Gall) and Rebecca Masters (Victor Polen) and his seven grandchildren (Haley, Margarette, Nathan, Elizabeth, Joe, Morgan, and Griffin). As coach, fan, friend or confidante, Rod was actively involved in the lives of all his kids and grandchildren, setting examples that helped form the foundation for who they are today.

Rod always wore a smile and was kind to everyone. He enjoyed spending time with his neighbors sitting on the breakwall having a beer and watching the sun set. Later in life, he took up golf and looked forward to meeting his good friend Denny for breakfast at the The American Table and a round of golf at Collins Park. What we’ll certainly miss is his quick wit and to ability to crack a joke that would make you smile and laugh. He possessed a strong sense of purpose and he loved to talk about his windsurfing and time spent on the Sirago. He knew what he wanted to do, and he always figured out how to get it done and that was the example he set for us all. We were lucky to have him, and he will be sorely missed. We love you, Rod!

A celebration of Rod’s life will be held Sunday May 21, 2023 from 1:00 to 5:00 at Maumee Bay State Park in Oregon OH with lunch served at 1:30. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Alzheimers Association or the Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

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