Rodney G. Tomlinson, of Annapolis, passed away on February 19, 2023 at the age of 85, surrounded by loved ones. He was a caring husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife of
20 years, Sari Kiraly, his son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Michelle Tomlinson and his grandchildren, Rachel and Michael; his daughter and son-in-law, Sylvie and Curtis Henry and his grandchildren, Julien, Luken and Kinnon.
Rodney was born on July 3, 1937 and adopted by his loving parents, Stanley and Constance (Mills) Tomlinson, and raised in Santa Barbara, California. After graduating from high school in 1955, he went on to the United States Naval Academy and graduated with the Class of 1959.
He served in the United States Navy as an engineer and senior watch officer on the destroyer USS Theodore Chandler, stationed in California and the eastern Pacific. He later worked at the U.S. Naval Electronics Laboratory in San Diego and as an Operation Research Analyst at the Fleet Operations Control Center in Europe. After completing his service commitment, Rodney remained in the Naval Reserves until retiring as Commander in 1984.
Rodney earned a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California in 1977. His fields included international relations and national security policy, with his primary expertise in the field of methodology and theory. Rodney was a pioneer in the application of empirical analysis to the study of international relations. His scholarly advancements in the field were widely used in the development of data projects for the U.S. Department of State and the United Nations.
Rodney spent 45 years teaching in the USNA Political Science Department, retiring with the honor of Professor Emeritus. He developed the Research Methods course now required of all political science majors. In addition, he was instrumental in the integration of microcomputers into the Academy curriculum. A strong advocate for USNA midshipmen, Rodney served as the senior academic advisor to the USNA Political Science Department and the Division of Humanities and Social Sciences.
An avid sailor, Rodney was the faculty representative to the USNA Offshore Sailing Team and the academic representative to the Naval Academy Sailing Board of Control. He shared his passion for sailing with not only the midshipmen but also with his friends and family. He was a long-time member of the Eastport Yacht Club where he tirelessly volunteered his support.
A strong advocate for community service, Rodney was a volunteer member of the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company, holding positions of Trustee, Fundraiser and Historian.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 10:30 am in the US Naval Academy Main Chapel, followed by inurnment at the US Naval Academy cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Rodney's memory to the Eastport Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 332, Annapolis, MD 21403
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared on this website.
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