Rosemary Rhodenbaugh

August 3, 1926 – February 9, 2021

PACIFIC GROVE – Rosemary Rhodenbaugh of Pacific Grove, CA, passed away on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at the age of 94 in her home in Forest Hill, of natural causes unrelated to COVID, with her son Ralph by her side.

Rosemary was born in Akron, OH, the fourth of five children to Jasper and Eva Marie McKinney. She was preceded in death by her parents, Brothers Russell, Edgar, Jack and Sister Edna Mae.

She was the beloved wife for 60 years to John Rhodenbaugh, M.D., who preceded her in death in 2010, and the loving mother of Sons Ralph (Oak Harbor, WA) and Jeff (Salem, SC).

During the early years of her life, in Akron, Rosemary worked as a legal secretary when she met John. Their romance would see them marry during his second year of attending The Ohio State University Medical School, followed by a family practice in Bath, OH, before eventually moving on to Henry Ford Hospital in Michigan to complete his residency in radiology.

In 1961, the couple moved to the West Coast to raise their family, relocating to Walnut Creek then to Castro Valley, CA, before settling in Castlewood Country Club in Pleasanton, CA, where the game of golf would end up changing their lives. Finally, in their twilight years, John & Rosemary moved to Pacific Grove, ultimately ending up at Forest Hill with a wonderful view of the Bay from their apartment. Rosemary would often remark on the beauty there in the Monterey Peninsula that it was “like living in a painting.”

Rosemary lived a happy, fulfilling and content life, first and foremost as the loving and supportive wife to John, second as the involved and loving mother in both of her sons’ lives, and finally as a dedicated volunteer working to improve the lives of so many others around her.

Those volunteer efforts included being an active hospital volunteer with St. Rose Hospital, before becoming the first volunteer ever at San Ramon Regional Medical Center, where she trained 125 other female volunteers over time. This dedication followed Rosemary to the Peninsula where she became an active supporter of the Community Hospital of Monterey as well as the Carmel Foundation.

Rosemary and John loved junior golf. Both were instrumental as charter members & volunteers in the Junior Golf Association of Northern California where they spent more than a decade helping hundreds of youth develop friendships and learn golf and life skills through competitive junior golf tournaments. In recent years, Rosemary helped support the creation of the Rhodenbaugh Performance Golf Camp located at Poppy Ridge Golf Course through a contribution to Youth on Course based in Pebble Beach.

Rosemary is survived by Sons Ralph & Jeff, Daughters-in-law Lori & Sherry, Grandchildren Leslie Rodgers, Eric & Chris Rhodenbaugh and Great Grandchildren Tristan, Amin & Ben Rodgers.

John and Rosemary were inseparable partners in life, but during her final years she longed for the day to rejoin him in eternity. On February 9th, she was blessed with that wish.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Youth on Course, 3200 Lopez Road, Pebble Beach, CA 93953 (https://youthoncourse.org) or Montage Health Foundation, 40 Ryan Ct., Suite 200, Monterey, CA 93940, c/o Jennifer M. Wood, Senior Development Officer (www.montagehealthfoundation.org/montage-health-foundation/donate-now/).