Rhoderick "Rhod" D. McIntosh

Rhoderick D. "Rhod" McIntosh, 83, of Colfax, Wash., passed away June 8, 2024, at Whitman Hospital in Colfax, Wash., from complications of Parkinson's. Rhod was born July 30, 1940, in Tammany, Idaho, to Donald & Nicatie (Baugh) McIntosh. The family moved to Pullman where he spent his elementary years, later moving to Kamiak Butte to farm with his grandfather and father. After graduating from Colfax High School in 1958, he attended Wenatchee Junior College where he played football and received his Associates Degree. He then played football for a short time at WSU until he suffered a career-ending concussion. While at WSU he met his future bride on a blind date, Barbara J. Hesse, and married her in Pullman on December 16, 1961, in the middle of a snow storm. Together they raised their family on the farm he later took over from his father.

A farmer his entire life, Rhod loved the land and his cattle and was one of the first No-Till farmers in the area. His goal was always to improve the quality of the soil he farmed. He was active in monitoring and improving water quality and utilizing intensive pasture management with his herd of Black Angus Cattle. He participated in the WSU Holistic Resource Management Program that was sponsored by a Kellogg Foundation grant.

Committed to serving his community Rhod served on numerous boards throughout his farming career. These boards include: Parvin Grange serving as Master, Colfax Grange Supply (1990-2005 member and President), Palouse Conservation District (received an award for "Thinking Outside the Box" "Conservation Innovation"), Colfax Grain Growers, Whitman County Planning Commission, Whitman County Cattlemen's Association serving as a member and President and received the "Unsupervised Thinking" award. He was also a long time member of the American Angus Association. He was one of the cattlemen who helped create the Palouse Empire Fair Beef Carcass contest as he was always an advocate for beef education for young people. He could always be found in the beef barn helping kids prepare for show and developed a sterling reputation for capturing rogue steers.

Many summers were spent showing Angus cattle around the Pacific Northwest with good friends and families. Rhod and Barb took long road trips, traveled the US and abroad, and took an occasional cruise, cherishing the time he spent with family and college friends.

Another joy in his life was following his children and grandchildren's activities through the years and was so proud of the effort he recognized in all of them. Rhod loved to visit, laugh and tell stories and jokes. His personality filled the room and his laughter put smiles on the faces of anyone lucky enough to know him. At the end of every day, with a twinkle in his eye he would say to anyone in his home "Goodnight, I love you one and all." He was dearly loved by many and will be forever missed.

He was preceded in death by his brother Reese and his sister Nicki Ellen. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Barbara, and his daughters Kris McIntosh, Kim McIntosh, Kerri (Eric) Jensen: grandchildren Rhoddy, Joey, Katie Jo and his son Michael McIntosh; grandchildren Ashley and Jake and nieces and nephews.

A memorial celebration will be held on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the Colfax Golf Club Pavilion in Colfax, WA. A lite lunch will be served. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations in Rhod's honor to the Whitman Hospital. Corbeill Funeral Home of Colfax, WA, has been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to http://www.corbeillfuneralhomes.com