Rodney Prestegard

Rodney Kenneth Prestegard 74, died on November 17th at home on Puget Island surrounded by family. He was born in Cathlamet on June 17, 1941 to Kenneth and Thelma (Jacobsen) Prestegard. He attended school on Puget Island and Cathlamet. In 1959 Rod joined the Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Bridget. In 1962 after his discharge he came home to Cathlamet.

He loved his commercial fishing years on the Columbia River, Bristol Bay and Cordova, Alaska where he fished for 25 years. He married Judy on April 12, 1986 and she survives him at home.

Rod was a supervisor for 27 years for the Wahkiakum County Public Works Department before his retirement in 1999. Rod was a master craftsman even building his fishing boat and a replica of an early 1900s Columbia River Fishing Boat. He also built several homes in Cathlamet as well as the one he and Judy enjoyed in Arizona. They spent many winters in Welton, AZ where he was a founding member of the Dome Valley Car Club.

His family remembers that Rod could fix or build anything and how he inherited a love of woodworking from his Dad. He was a member of the Wahkiakum VFW, Moose Lodge, Salmon For All, Carpenters Union and On The Road Again Car Club.

In addition to Judy he is survived by three sons, Brad Prestegard, Brian (Julie) Brons, and Jamie (Kajsa) Brons, two daughters, Arlita (Bob) Schlecht and Tammy (Blair) Peterson, his brother Greg (Muriel) Prestegard and sister, Loretta Chevalier, 13 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, many friends and extended family. Rod was preceded in death by a daughter, Renita Prestegard and two sons, Ryan Prestegard and John Brons, a sister Darlene Sellards and two grandsons, Kyle Holland and Derek Brons. A Celebration of Rodney’s Life will be held at JA Wendt Elementary in Cathlamet on Saturday, December 5th at 12 O’clock Noon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rodney’s name to Seattle Children’s Hospital P.O.Box 5371 Seattle,WA 98145-5005. Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements