Rodney Eicke, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and dedicated friend and community member, died on October 14, 2026, at the age of 82. Born on January 29, 1944, in Fremont, Nebraska, to parents Herman and Hazel, Rod lived a life filled with love, laughter, and service.
Rod’s early years were shaped in Nebraska, where he grew up on the family farm. He shared stories of early mornings milking cows and dealing with cranky chickens. He graduated as salutatorian of Bennington High School in 1962. With a passion for mathematics, he pursued a bachelor’s degree in math education from Midland Lutheran College. After several years of teaching and coaching in Snyder, NE, he moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming, where he earned a Master’s in mathematics. He then moved to Riverton, the community he would call home for more than five decades. He had a variety of jobs, most notably teaching math at Central Wyoming College and Riverton High School. It was hard to go anywhere without someone recognizing “Mr. Eicke.” In the summers, Rod could be found behind the wheel of a tractor, getting back to his farming roots.
In 1971, Rod met the love of his life, Carol Butscher. From their first motorcycle ride, it was clear that they were destined to have many adventures together. They married in 1972, and together they built a beautiful family and shared 54 years of married life. Rod and Carol were blessed with five children: Angela Schrader (Ben), Andrea Hayden (Jake), Aimee Appelhans (Aaron), Ariane Eicke, and Douglas Eicke, as well as eight cherished grandchildren: Madelynn, Donovan, August, Matthew, Joshua, Zachary, Christopher, and Gabriel.
Rod’s commitment to his community was evident through his long service with the Riverton Volunteer Fire Department, where he was Assistant Chief. He retired after 21 years of service, then served as commissioner for the Riverton Fire Protection District. He was also a long-time member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was Past Exalted Ruler and 5 Year Trustee of Riverton Lodge 1693 and Past District Deputy for the state of Wyoming. He greatly valued the opportunities these organizations gave him to serve his community, and he made many lasting friendships and memories.
A man of many talents, Rod had a remarkable ability to fix just about anything and was known to build or weld projects that were used for many years. His friends and family fondly recall his clever quips and quick-witted responses – one-liners that could always bring laughter to those around him. In retirement, he and Carol enjoyed traveling, including trips to Hawaii and Alaska, camping trips around Wyoming, many side-by-side rides, and numerous treks to visit their children. Rod was a loyal fan of the Wyoming Cowboys and the Denver Broncos, and he even managed to hold out hope for the Colorado Rockies. Rod’s support for his teams was surpassed only by his devotion to his family. He was fiercely proud of his children, who were equally proud to call him Dad. They will never forget his familiar whistle, his wink, and the one-fingered wave from his steering wheel.
Rod is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Eugene. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol, their children, grandchildren, brother-in-law Bob Butscher (Karen), and many nieces and nephews. His spirit and orneriness will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A service to honor and celebrate Rod’s life will be held at 10:00 am on November 24, 2026, at St. Margaret’s Catholic Church in Riverton, WY. A reception will follow at the Riverton Elks Lodge. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Wyoming Elks State Trust or Riverton Volunteer Fire Department.