Thomas “Rod” Rodney Loe
Thomas “Rod” Rodney Loe passed away, surrounded by family, in the early morning on Friday, July 17, 2020. Born on January 3, 1938 in Beaumont, Texas, Rod was the only child of Thomas Floyd Loe and Ruby Galloway Loe.
Rod spent his entire adolescent years in Beaumont and graduated from South Park High School in 1956. While attending college at Lamar University, Rod was set up on a blind date where he met and fell in love with his wife Tina. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1960 and shortly after, he and Tina married on January 27, 1961.
Rod began his career in the Engineering Development Program with Boeing in Seattle, Washington and later transferred to New Orleans to work on the Mississippi Test Facility (now Stennis Space Center). In 1964, Rod interviewed and accepted an offer to work for NASA in Houston, starting in the Gemini systems program. Rod’s presence in Mission Control supported Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz and Space Shuttle, 34 missions from 1965 to 1983. He supported 8 Gemini, 15 Apollo, 3 Skylab, Apollo-Soyuz and 7 Space Shuttle missions. Fourteen of these missions he served as an “EECOM” Flight Controller responsible for monitoring the spacecraft’s electrical, environmental, and communication systems. For the other 20 missions he was one of a handful of Flight Operations senior engineers that would serve as an interface between the real-time Flight Control Team and the engineering support standing by to assist with problem solving. Rod served as the manager of this function during the first nine Space Shuttle missions. Rod’s final assignment with NASA was in the Shuttle Program Office, managing the task of transporting the Shuttle across the country on top of the 747. He was affectionately referred to as the “Ferry Godfather”. After serving NASA for 34 years, Rod turned in his badge and celebrated his 60th birthday.
Rod enjoyed time with his family and many friends. He spent time on the golf course and participated in numerous cookoffs, as a founding member of the BARF chili cooking team of America. Rod will be remembered as a loving husband, father and PawPaw. He was a true friend to his lifelong “Podnas”.
Rod is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Tina Loe; three beloved children, daughter, Terri Bauer, husband Jeff; sons: Gregory Loe, wife Sharon, and Jeffrey Loe, wife Penny; and four much loved grandchildren: Nick Bauer, Mitchell Bauer, Will Bauer and Carly Loe.
Memorial visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2020 in the chapel of Crowder Funeral Home in Pearland.
Rod, was a great engineer and a true and loyal friend. Our thoughts go out to his family. He is missed.
Rod was a true friend and one of the best Flight Controllers to ever sit in Mission Control. A real pioneer. My love goes out to Tina and the kids.
Tina, I am so sorry to hear about Rod. I talked to him in January when Richard was in the hospital and knew he was having a hard time. I lost Richard February 3 of this year. My heart and prayers are with you and the kids.
What a great and kind man. Rod never met a stranger and never had a bad word about anybody. A true friend. He will be missed.
Heartfelt condolences to the family! Rodney was a great “Pardna” to me in work, play, and life!! His loss is felt by all of us! God’s Speed my friend!
What a wonderful, exciting and memorable life he lived. His memory will be written in the history books. My prayers and loving support go out to my dearest friend Tina. The family will always have great memories for a man with a great heart and an intelligent mind.
God has taken a special angel home!
I wish and pray for peace and comfort to all his family and friends .
I always considered Rod to be one of the best in the MCC. Knowing I was on the same team was a real confidence builder. God bless Rod.
Tina so very sorry to hear of Rod’s passing, glad I was able to serve as Rod’s Deputy Branch Chief, work in the SPAN with him, and be a member of his BARF chili cook off team. We will keep you and family in our thoughts and prayers.
Rod will be so missed by all his NASA friends. He was a pioneer and a great EECOM. It was my honor and privilege to work with him on Space Shuttle. God Speed, Rod Loe.
I worked with T. Rodney off and on my entire NASA career. He was one of the kindest men I ever met. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Rod Loe was such an humble man, and seemed genuinely surprised when asked to take part in book signings or to be interviewed for a documentary film. I will miss him greatly.
Rod was a great flight controller and manager but most of all he was a wonderful person and friend. I will always remember the great times we had ferring the orbiter across country. He will be greatly missed and my prayers are with Tina and his family.
T-Rodney is a loss that can’t be replaced and leaves a heartache that no one can heal and will be so missed, but his spirit and memories will be forever in our hearts. My favorite message to try and bring peace and comfort is the following: Those we love don’t go away, they are with us everyday, unseen and unheard, but always near since no one can steal the cherished memories forever in your heart which becomes a part of us even when apart.
My heart goes out to Rod’s family. He was my exceptional boss and fellow BARF member (of which I am sworn to secrecy). Never seemed to age and was always there when needed to provide sage advice and camaraderie. A man who lives on in my heart. He made a lasting impression to so many.
My condolences to Rod’s family and friends. I was so sorry to hear about Rod’s passing. We worked together for many years on many different programs at the Johnson space Center. He was a great guy and will be missed.
Tina, My condolences to you and the family. Rod was certainly respected by his NASA peers. I knew him as a kind, loyal, dependable, and humble family man. He will be missed, but he leaves a great legacy and positive influence on those who knew him. Blessings to all of you.
I was heartbroken to hear of Rod’s death. Rod was my first boss, ever, and I remember him as a calm and soft-spoken giant among EECOMs. I will always have fond memories of our times together in our younger days. Tina, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Craig, Rod knew you were so special and knew you as a super “padna”. Think of the good times and there were many, we were all so blessed to have known Rod and Tina. God, thank you for all the amazing memories Debbie
My thoughts and prayers are for Tina and all the Lie family. Me and Rodney became friends in the 7th grade.. In high school we double dated a lot.. we became friends with other Greenies and we became the “PODNAS” and we would gather together at least once a year at least…Those were so much fun.. I will miss my PODNA until us PODNAS can gather together on GOD’S celestial shore..Tina I am a phone call away.. I love you forever.. TROY DAVIS
Tina, I am so sorry to hear about Rod’s passing. I had the honor and pleasure of working with Rod in the MOCR. He was an outstanding Flight Controller and a distinct pleasure to work with! My thoughts and prayers are with you Tina and your family.
In July 1975, my Landing and Recovery career ended with the splashdown of the Apollo-Soyuz mission…I had NO idea what was next for me…Rod gave me a home in his Flight Control Division branch as the Space Shuttle was about to get underway…I had not even considered becoming a Mission Control Flight Controller…had this not happened, I would not have experienced such joy and honor being on this team…Tina and your wonderful family, I loved “T. Rodney”…he ALWAYS greeting me with” J. Milton”…how I will miss those greetings………………
Tina, It’s all been said. I admired and appreciated all that Rod was in both his work and his relationships with people. You and your family are in our prayers.
Tom Holloway
So sorry to hear about Rod. He can’t be replaced. Our love and prayers to Tina and kids. Knew little and his work, but good client and I considered both good friends. He was the ramrod of the golf tourneys and shared many laughs. We will continue to pray for Rod and family. Didn’t have time to send something, didn’t hear about arrangements till now, but he will always be remembered. Rick Cope
What a fine man! Our family is privileged to be able to call him our friend. We had so many good times and laughs, and he was there if we were in need. We are all better off to have known his kind heart. I loved it when he would answer the phone with his upbeat greeting, just made my day!
My uncle, a graduate of South Park High School would say, “Greenie Fight Never Dies.”
Dear Tina, Carolyn and I are so sorry for your loss. I admired and respected Rod, as many did, for his work on and off the console. He was just a great guy to know and to have as a teammate and friend. Remembering fond memories we shared over many years at work and play. God bless you and the family.
Terri,
I was saddened to hear about the loss of your dad.
He was such a good guy – particularly to me – during the time I knew him.
He was Ferry Manager on my first as the onboard PAO.
I always enjoyed talking to him when our paths crossed after he retired.
I hope all the wonderful memories will provide strength to you, your Mom and other family members.
The Hoover’s are so sad about Rod going away. Joe’s sad because he’s lost a golf partner that was fun all day. Ann’s sad because she’ll miss teasing her pal and thought he was hilarious to be around. Chili cook-offs will never be the same. This ‘Baronette’ thought he was great.