LONGTIME SEALY MATTRESS CO. REPRESENTATIVE RAY RODENBECK DIES

  

A longtime Brenham businessman and baseball and softball enthusiast has died.

Ray Rodenbeck died Thursday in Brenham, after a brief illness. He was 71 years old.

Rodenbeck, born in Brenham and a graduate of Brenham High School, Blinn College, and Sam Houston State University, worked for 46 years at Sealy Mattress Company in Brenham. He served many years as plant manager and as a regional vice-president for Texas and Louisiana.  He received four National Plant Manager of the Year Awards, was a three-time winner of the Sealy CEO’s Award, and was a six-time manager of the plant receiving the National Sealy Circle of Excellence Award.

Rodenbeck was an avid baseball and softball player, and was a member of the 1966 Brenham Cub baseball team, the first to make it to the state semi-finals. From 1971 through 1993, he coached boys’ and girls’ Little League regular and All-Star teams.  He also served in many capacities for many years on the Little League board, and was instrumental in organizing the Brenham High School baseball and softball Alumni organizations.

Rodenbeck was an active member of the Brenham Jaycees, Exchange Club, and Elks Club, and also served on Prime Bank’s advisory board, the Economic Development Board, and the Industrial Foundation. In addition, he was a very active participant in the Relay for Life fundraiser “Getting a Hook on Cancer”.

Visitation will be tomorrow (Sunday) from 4 to 7 p.m. at Brenham Memorial Chapel. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church.  Services are entrusted to Brenham Memorial Chapel.