Rodney Lee Kendig, 73, of Pensacola, FL passed away on Friday, January 31, 2014 at the Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Residence as a result of complications from cancer. Rod was born on November 12, 1940 in Lancaster, PA to Richard Benner and Jane Eby Kendig and was very proud of his Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Rod's strong commitment to Paula, his wife of 35 years and their blended family of six children was unmistakable. He always knew how to make them laugh (or groan) with his silly jokes. Rod attended public schools in Newton, NJ and graduated from Newton High School in 1958. He received a degree in Political Science in 1962 from the College of Wooster in Wooster, OH. He attended graduate school at the University of Maryland while working for the National Association of Counties in Washington, DC. Rod became Escambia County Administrator in October 1978 and Pensacola City Manager in 1985. In the early 1980's, Rod, as County Administrator, and Steve Garman, Pensacola City Manager, provided Northwest Florida with a spirit of governmental cooperation and collaboration that has not been replicated. From 1985-1990, while Rod was City Manager, Rod and Paula were foster parents for Children's Home Society. They fell in love with Baby Number 41 and adopted Chelsey Blair Kendig in 1990. As a parent of a child with disabilities, Rod became a tireless advocate for children's health and Education issues. This involvement included serving on the Arc Gateway Board of Directors, the State Partnership for School Readiness and the Early Learning Coalition of Escambia County. In the position as Sr. Vice-President, at Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., Rod was able to use his superior communication skills to serve as liaison between state and local governments and federal and state funding sources to obtain approval and funding for various governmental projects. On Saturday mornings, Dr. Larry Walker, ECUA Board Chairman, and Rod would have breakfast to discuss various political issues and books, and then go to estate and garage sales looking for books to add to their personal libraries. Rod was active in the International City /County Management Association, American Society for Public Administration, Northwest Florida League of Cities and the Gulf Coast Economics Club. Rodney was preceded in death by his father, Richard Benner Kendig. He is survived by his wife, Paula Briggs Kendig; mother, Jane Eby Kendig; mother-in-law, Ina Briggs; sister, Brenda Kendig Gregory; brother-in-Law, Ross Briggs; children, Kathy Goldsborough (Ridgely), Andrea Giuttari (Biagio), Adam Kendig, Sr., Christy Kendig, Chelsey Kendig and Jacob Kendig; his grandchildren; Jennifer McFarran (Brandon), Melissa Allen, Billy Giuttari, Jr., Nina Giuttari, Paul Giuttari and Adam (AJ) Kendig, Jr.; great grandson, Grady McFarran; a uncle,Vincent Eby; and many special nieces, nephews and cousins. A Celebration of Rod's Life will be held at 3:00pm CST on Thursday February 6, 2014 at First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, 33 E. Gregory St., Pensacola, FL 32502, (850-438-9619) with Rev. Frank Beall and Dr. Henry Roberts officiating. A Reception for all family and friends will be held immediately following the service in the Jane Noonan Activity Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Rod's name to the Pearl Nelson Child Development Center, 916 E. Fairfield Dr., Pensacola, FL 32503 (850-434-7755) or Arc Santa Rosa, 6225 Dixie Rd., Milton, FL 32570 (850-623-9320). Special Thanks are given to Dr. Jolita Klementaviciene, Gulf Breeze Hospital, Joyce Goldenberg Hospice Residence, Dr. Larry Walker, Mark O'Brien, Dr. John Thomas, Nigel Allen, Carlton Proctor.