Roderick G. KINLEY

Roderick G. “Rod” KINLEY, of Coudersport, PA, died peacefully on Thursday December 14, 2023, with his loving and devoted wife of more than 70 years, Faye, by his side.  Recently, Rod had expressed that when the time comes, “I wish only that it just be myself alone with my darling Faye."  

At 91 years of age, Rod frequently pointed out with pride that, “I am the oldest any one of my family has ever made it to.”  Born November 13, 1932, in York, as the eldest child to Edgar C. and Mildred E. Tracey Kinley.  Rod was joined a few years later by a brother, Terry Kinley, followed by a sister, Prudence Kinley Ruth.  Rod often recounted fond memories of his childhood: farming (falling off a wagon and breaking an arm), playing army by digging holes in the yard with Terry, hunting rabbits, pheasants, and crows, fishing, and contemplating anything that he could create to avoid attending school.  Notorious for a recalcitrant attitude, Rod always did what he wanted to do.  

Finishing high school in 1950, Rod would soon meet his future wife, Faye Fahringer, and married in 1952, and had their first child and only daughter, Rebecca in 1953, sons Rod, Jr. in 1955, David in 1958, Todd in 1961, and finally the last baby boy, Jack in 1963.  Together, Rod and Faye would begin a long life together full of family adventures, twists and turns, heartaches and happiness, most of which took place while moving throughout the country.  Ask any one of their children to relate a story of their childhood and sit back and listen for hours.  Many of those stories start with “and there we were,” followed by the insertion of various descriptions such as, “stuck on a boat without sunscreen, trudging through snow to find that deer, or camping in below zero weather.”  Also, stories tend to include eating a lot of seafood.  

Despite his lack of enthusiasm for proper schooling, Rod was smart, very smart.  His career path led to becoming a self-taught draftsman and piping engineer, a job that led him across the country to many states (around 13-14) including: California, Ohio, Florida, North Dakota, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.  He was quite proud to have achieved the title of Foreman and Project Supervisor on several large-scale nuclear power plants such as Perry, Moscow, Diablo, and Three Mile Island.  One of his last jobs before he retired in the mid 1990s was in Ogden Utah.  In Utah and the surrounding states, Rod and sometimes Faye experienced much of what the west has to offer, including the badlands, copper/silver/obsidian mines, thousand yard canyon shoots, and even a white water rafting trip down the Salmon River.  

Rod was a known hobby enthusiast, often sitting at his bench, hand checkering gun stocks, knapping arrowheads out of obsidian, or swearing loudly as tiny springs flew from his grasp and disappeared never to be found again.  An avid outdoorsman, Rod first hunted the mountains of Potter County in 1947, enjoyed fishing for brook trout (although did plenty of ocean fishing as well), and gave more than one squirrel a head start before expertly dispatching them with a well-practiced shot.  

A frequent reader and with the uncanny ability to absorb knowledge, Rod was, by 91, an expert on much and if he didn't know it, he would fake it well.  His children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends often joined him on such memory making episodes.  Many a picture has been taken with Pap and a son or grandson next to a hanging deer.  

The stories are endless, but Rod's enthusiasm for life led to another quality he would become known for, his enduring connection to people he met along his 91 years.  As the saying goes, you can make new friends, but you can't make old friends.  Rod had many friends of each.  From men who had followed his fearless leadership during his career, childhood friends, neighbors, and friends in his eventual hometown of Coudersport, Rod attracted and maintained lasting friendships.  Above his recliner, where he was known to smoke a cigar or two, Rod had a sign that reads "I don't want anyone thinking I'm an asshole, I want them to be sure.”  Despite this gruff exterior, those who knew Rod knew that he could be counted on to listen, laugh, and provide you with any level of advice you wished to have.  Warning: use all advice at your own risk.  

Rod’s laugh was in and of itself a lasting memory for all those who knew him well.  Although occasionally repeating a joke, Rod’s gift of gab and humor never ceased to amaze with a new profound joke, his oldest and most iconic being the dogs they had a party, they came from near and far...

Demonstrating a life truly shrouded in the fabric of living, Rod will be greatly missed.  His memories, stories and fiery spirit will endure among the generations of family and the friends he made along the journey.

Rod is survived by his wife, Faye; his daughter, Rebecca (Steven) Fraker; sons, Roderick Kinley, Jr., David (Sherri) Kinley, Todd (Sarah) Kinley, and Jack (Renee) Kinley; grandchildren, including Jacob (Christine) Fraker, Joshua (Jessica) Fraker, Jessica R. Fraker, Alishia Maines, Carisa Kinley, Sarah, Rachael, Kyla, Konor, Zilya, Voltaire, Justin, and Nina; great-grandchildren, Kenneth, Madison, Bryce, Jack, Aristotle, Joshua, Benjamin, Jeremiah, and Josiah; and great-great-grandkid, Myah.

A memorial service will be held on a later date.  

Cremation was at Olney-Foust Private Crematory.  Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust Funeral Homes & Crematory, Ulysses, PA.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.olneyfoust.com.