Hugo G. Rodeck, former director of the University of Colorado Museum, died Sept. 28 in Boulder. He was 102.
Rodeck was appointed director of the CU Museum in 1939 and held the position until his retirement in 1971. His association with the museum began in 1929 when he worked as a graduate assistant before being named curator in 1933, a position he held until 1939.
Born Sept. 19, 1902, in Marion, N.J., Rodeck was the only child of Lily and Hugo von Rodeck Sr. As a child he frequently visited the American Museum of Natural History and the Bronx Zoo, which he credited with developing his lifelong interest in museums. He moved with his family to Sugar City, Colo., when he was 8 years old.
A graduate of CU-Boulder in 1928 with a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry, and a master's degree in 1929, Rodeck also served the university as a professor of natural history. He took his expertise into the field and worked as a teacher, mentor and head of the biology department at the Science Lodge, the CU summer biology and geology camp near Ward from 1934 to 1943, before earning his doctorate degree in entomology from the University of Minnesota in 1944.
During World War II, Rodeck volunteered in the U.S. Army Air Corps for four years. He began his service by teaching bombardiers how to use the new Norden Bombsite, and also took part in the development of an experimental weapon using bats and incendiary bombs at Kirtland Field in New Mexico. He also spent time at Northwestern University in Chicago for Japanese language training and several other universities for further training. When he completed his service in the military, he returned to CU-Boulder and resumed his job as museum director, a position that was held for him during his service years.
Rodeck represented the university nationally and internationally as a member of the American Association of Museums, serving as a council member and vice president as well as being part of the original accreditation committee that was formed to establish standard criteria for museums. He also served as the first secretary and treasurer of the International Council of Museums.
His interest in natural history and museums continued throughout his career, including helping to develop and teach the first graduate classes in museology. He formed the Mountain Plains Museum Association, serving as president of the regional group for four years and was involved in the organization at all levels. At the 1988 MPMA conference in Oklahoma City, he was honored with the first Hugo G. Rodeck Award for Excellence, which has since been awarded in his name.
In retirement Rodeck continued his involvement in museums, becoming a consultant for such far-flung institutions as the Federation of Malay States in Singapore, the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Royal Ontario Museum and lecturing for the museum studies program at the University of Leicester, England.
Rodeck is survived by two daughters, Anne Rodeck Schaefer of Centennial and Jean Rodeck of Woodland Park; three grandchildren, Larry Schaefer of Colorado Springs, Terry Schaefer Steinborn of Broomfield and Lynn Swearingen of Boulder; three great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
Rodeck will be interned at the Imperial Cemetery in Pueblo beside his mother and father. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hugo G. Rodeck Museum Endowment, University of Colorado Museum, 218 UCB, Boulder, CO 80309-0218. Condolences may be sent to the family at 6688 S. Logan St., Centennial, CO 80121.
A memorial service will be held at the CU Museum at a later date.