ELIOT, Maine - Roy F. Rohde, Lt. Col. USAF Retired, 81, husband of the late Irene Knurek Rohde passed away at his home on Thursday, October 13, 2016. He was born on July 22, 1935, in Sheboygan, Wis., and raised on a traditional farm by his parents, Arno and Lydia (Thiel) Rohde. He was the youngest of nine children and is survived by his brother, Robert Rohde of Hayden Lake, I.D. Roy graduated from Howards Grove High School as Valedictorian of his class. Roy served 22 years in the United States Air Force, and did three tours during the Vietnam War. He was a navigator on B-52's (stationed at McCoy AFB, Orlando, Fla., and Carswell AFB, Ft. Worth, T.X.) and later FB 111's, retiring with the rank of Lt. Col. as an instructor at Pease AFB, N.H. He later worked in construction and as a property manager in the local area. In good health, Roy was quite an athlete and enjoyed golfing and sailing. He always enjoyed sports, and was a big Red Sox fan. He was an avid reader who spent a great deal of time supporting the William Fogg Library in Eliot. He was active in his Church and volunteered at Meal on Wheels. Roy had a passion for Bridge and played weekly at the Senior Centers in South Berwick, Maine and Dover, N.H., where he made many close friends. He loved to bake loaves of bread and pies which he regularly distributed to friends and family around town. He had a passion for history and politics, loved traveling and visiting family. Roy is predeceased by his wife, Irene, originally from Poland. He is survived by two daughters: Sharon Rohde of Eliot, Maine, fiance Terry Thomas, and grandson Chad Ellis, wife Jillian great grandsons Nathan and August of SLC, UT and grandson Matthew Roy Ellis and wife Samantha of Poolesville, Md., and step daughters Amy, Courtney and Terrin; daughter Debra Lacy, husband Ben, grandsons Joshua and Michael, of Greer, S.C. He has many relatives and friends who reside in the Sheboygan and Great Bay, Wis., areas. SERVICES: A Memorial Service will be held at 2 p.m., on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at Eliot Congregational Church, 1361 State Rd., Eliot, Maine. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.jspelkeyfuneralhome.com .Burial will be at a later date at Greenlawn Memorial Park, in Sheboygan, Wis. In lieu of flowers Memorial contributions may be made to William Fogg Library, 116 Old Road, Eliot, Maine, 03903. Care for the Rhode family has been entrusted to the JS Pelkey Funeral Home.