Rodney K. Waldron
February 15, 1919 – June 22, 2012
Rodney K. Waldron, professor emeritus and former Director of Libraries at Oregon State University, died June 22, 2012. He was 93.
Waldron was born to James R. Waldron and Margaret Wertman Waldron in Newberg, Oregon, February 15, 1919. He spent his childhood in Alberta, Canada and on Bainbridge Island, Washington, where he graduated from Bainbridge High School. He worked in Seattle and Washington, D.C. with the Rural Electrification Administration before serving with the 77th Infantry Division during World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the Bronze Star in the Leyte Operation. He was honorably discharged December 7, 1945.
He and Virginia Lay married in January 1946. He subsequently graduated from Lower Columbia College, Longview, WA, and University of Denver, Denver, Colorado where he received his Master’s Degree in Library Science. Waldron held positions as Asst. State Archivist in Colorado; Librarian with the Missouri historical Society, Columbia, Mo.; with the University of Idaho Library, Moscow, ID for three years. He was appointed to the library staff at Oregon State University in 1954. He served as Assistant and Associate Director before being appointed Director of Libraries in August 1964. He retired as Director in March 1984.
During his career in librarianship in the Northwest, Waldron served as President, Pacific Northwest Library Association; Chairman of the Oregon State System of Higher Education Library Council; and, various other regional library committees and commissions. In his various capacities, he carried and presented the library messages and programs to the State legislature and the State Board of Higher Education. He was Chairman of the OSU Centennial Committee and designed the Benton hall logo used to celebrate the event.
Waldron taught summer courses in library administration at the University of Oregon Library School and the University of British Columbia School of Library Science as a visiting professor.
Upon retirement, Waldron was presented by the students of OSU, the Order of the Orange for outstanding service. He also was awarded honorary membership by the Oregon chapter of Sigma Xi, National Science Research honorary.
Waldron is survived by his sister Margaret and numerous nephews and nieces. At his request there will be no public service. Online condolences at Crown Memorial – Tualatin, www.ANewTradition.com.
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