Obituary for LTC Rodney R. Letchworth, USMC (Ret.)
Published by Bevis
Funeral Home & Cremtory 
Lt. Colonel Rodney Raymond (Rod) Letchworth, U.S. Marine
Corps (retired) with his wife by his side, "FLEW WEST" on February 18,
2019.
Rod was born in Greenville Florida on March 8th, 1935 to Robert A.
and Jacqueline P. Letchworth. In 1941, the family moved to a 60 acre farm
(across from what is now the National Cemetery) in Tallahassee, Florida. He
would say, "It was a wonderful way to grow up." Rod was a graduate of Leon
High School, where he lettered in track. He achieved a B.S. in Science from
FSU and BS from the Naval Post graduate School Monterey CA, a Masters from
George Washington University and also spent a semester at a Bible college
in Columbia, SC. He was a member of Beta Gamma Sigma & Business Honor
Society and MENSA top 2% member. After enlisting, he was Rifle Instructor
at Parris Island and then became an officer (Mustang) and USMC fighter
pilot. An aviator extraordinaire, he flew 289 combat missions in 11 months
with the VMA 214 Black Sheep squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe,
Hawaii. In Vietnam he flew an A-4 Skyhawk fighter jet providing close air
support for Marine and Army units. For his heroism and bravery, Rod was
awarded 2 Distinguished Flying Cross Medals; 23 Air Medals; 4 Viet Nam
Service Medal Stars; The National Defense Service Medal; Viet Nam Cross of
Gallantry w/Palm; The Viet Nam Campaign Medal w/Device; Navy Unit
Commendation w/Gold Star and Letter of Appreciation from President Johnson;
Navy Commendation w/Gold Star; Bronze Star; Pistol Expert-13 Awards and
Rifle Expert-3 Awards.
Rod was a Renaissance man, truly a master of many
fields; he was a published author of several books including "The Wakulla
Volcanoes," which a local theater made a live production of the fun
memories in his book. He also authored a memoir, "Surviving PTSD: A Combat
Marine's Story." In 2017, he earned a Silver Medal at the US National
Senior Games in Discus Throw and holds numerous Gold and Silver Medals for
Discus and Shot Put Senior Games. In 21 years Rod won Gold medals in 5
different age groups.
Survivors include his loving wife, Julie;
brothers, Reverend Gary W. and Larry R. Letchworth; sister, Elizabeth L.
Garrett; the mother of his children, Gaile Ortgies; children, Terrie
(Terry) Russel, Pattie (Gary) Neuman, Rod Jr.(Lissa) Letchworth and Chuck
(Leigh) Letchworth; children thru marriage, Dr. Russell (Rue) Collins, Debi
Collins, Hart (Anita) Collins; 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Lance G. Letchworth and
previous wife, Martha Collins Letchworth.
Rod was a proud member of
various community organizations and was a charter member of Lafayette
Presbyterian Church. He valued his time with the Quiet Birdmen of
Tallahassee, St. Andrew Society, Lions Club in NC and FL. He cherished his
friends at Westminster Oaks and his church family Saint Paul's United
Methodist Church.
