Rodney Scott “Rod” Hoegh, 66, of Urbandale passed away Thursday, Dec. 8, 2016, after a 12- year battle with prostate cancer that had spread to his bones and liver. A memorial service was held Dec. 13 at New Hope Assembly of God Church, Urbandale. Memorial contributions may be given to Hope Ministries or the Danish Windmill Corp., Elk Horn.
Rod grew up on a farm in Elk Horn and was the oldest of seven siblings. In his early years, he spent a lot of time playing outside. He especially enjoyed playing in his Grandpa Hoegh’s timber. As he got older, he would often ride bike into town to play baseball. He attended and graduated from Elk Horn-Kimballton Schools in 1968. He was the salutatorian of his graduating class.
In 1970, Rod married Susan Poldberg, and they had six children (Dawn, Danielle, Dana, Robby, Daira, and Reggie). Rod graduated from BYU in 1972, Summa Cum Laude. The start of his educational and coaching career began in Bedford.
In 1995, Rod married Kathy Zylstra Huyser, who has two sons (Dustin and Joel). Rod and Kathy enjoyed ballroom dancing, and they had a two-year adventure in a remote Eskimo village (Elim) in northwest Alaska. Rod and Kathy created a great team where Rod was the K-12 principal, and Kathy served as the school’s accountant.
Rod ended his 38-year career in education at Brody Middle School in Des Moines in 2011 after:
15 years in rural Iowa in middle school and high school science;
12 years in Des Moines in middle school and high school science;
Three years in the Des Moines Alternative School, all subjects;
One year assembly presenter for the Science Center of Iowa;
Six years as a principal in rural Iowa districts middle school and high school;
Two years as a principal in the Alaska wilderness (K-12);
20+ years as a coach (basketball, softball, baseball, track, cross country); and
15+ years as an athletic official (softball, baseball, basketball, volleyball, football).
In 2011, Rod took early retirement to seek a more relaxed lifestyle and spend more time with his 14 grandchildren. The grandkids could always count on getting a bag of books or other “thoughtful” gifts whenever they saw Papa Rod. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes. In the last few years, he organized many family trips to Hawkeye sporting events with Kathy, his sons (Robby and Reggie), son-in-law (Clint), siblings, and the Kurt Harthoorn family. Rod enjoyed supporting all his kids in their passions and careers.
There is no question Rod Hoegh was an outstanding coach and invested in so many lives. In 2014, with the Lord tugging on his heart, Rod and all his stubbornness finally gave in and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior! His identity placed solidly in Christ, there was a distinct change in the depth of his life!
In the end, the Lord truly blessed Rod and all the people that knew him. He had countless visits for two days from family and friends. Those that could not get back called or sent messages on Facebook; each message and phone call so special to him. Rod was so happy to talk directly with Kathy’s two boys, Joel and Dustin, whom he loved and respected so greatly. Finally, one of Rod’s constant prayers was answered as he got to see all his six kids together and was able to have the moment he longed for so much! These last moments also demonstrated the strength and character of his wife Kathy and his ex-wife Susan. The Lord is so good. Today is a day to reflect on a person that made so many contributions to the people he encountered, but in respect of Rod Hoegh the teacher/coach, it is also a day to learn. May his death and his life demonstrate the redeeming power of Jesus Christ!
Rod is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughters, Dawn (Thomas) Ryan, Danielle (Mike) Petersen, Dana (William Cole) Hoegh and Daira (Clint) Driftmier; sons, Robby (Erin) Hoegh and Reggie (Laura) Hoegh; 14 grandchildren; mother Isabel Hoegh; sisters, Joan (Dean) Barrett, Carol (Paul) Sorensen, and Jane (Bob) Meneely; brothers, Curt (Nancy) Hoegh, Monte (Emily) Hoegh, Brent (Nancy) Hoegh, and Jim (Becky) Hoegh; 16 nieces and nephews; 25 great-nieces and great-nephews; former spouse, Susan Hoegh; stepsons, Dustin Huyser and Joel Huyser; mother-in-law, Carla Zylstra; sisters-in-law, Sheri (Doug) Huyser and Susan (Mike) Jansen; brothers-in-law, Craig (Linda) Zylstra and Curt (Donna) Zylstra.
He was preceded in death by his father, Emery Hoegh; and father-in-law, Zeke Zylstra.
