Harold Norman Rohde

Harold N. Rohde of Potlatch, ID passed away at Kootenai Health, the afternoon of Monday, January 6, 2020, at the age of 65.

Harold was born on October 22, 1954 in Perham, Minnesota to Harold Norman Rohde and Diane Kathryn Larson. In 1954, the family moved to Oregon City, OR. Harold attended Oregon State University where he majored in general science before moving to Troy, ID in 1987, and later moving to Kendrick.

Harold worked as a Scientific Aide at the University of Idaho, in the laboratory of Dr. Scott Minnich, for 24 years. During this time, Harold performed ground-breaking research on innate immunity and vaccine development against Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the plague. His work resulted in numerous publications in leading scientific journals. In addition to his research, he mentored countless undergraduate and graduate students in their own research. He retired from the University of Idaho 2016.

Harold met his second wife, Stephanie Anne Smith, in 2006 while working at the University of Idaho. They were married on September 2, 2011 and resided in Potlatch, ID. Their son, Connor Jon Rohde, was born on October 11, 2011.

Harold was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fly fishing, backpacking, and camping. He was a very loving and dedicated husband and father, and his outdoor adventures continued with his wife and son. The family will cherish the memories they shared backpacking into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, fishing the Lochsa River and Kelly Creek, and numerous camping and travel experiences.

Harold is survived by his wife Stephanie Smith-Rohde of Potlatch, ID; his son Connor Rohde of Potlatch, ID; his sister Kathryn Rohde of Salem, OR; his brother John Rohde (Shannon Sterling) of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and his much-adored nieces Greta Rohde and Lena Rohde of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Harold is preceded in death by his parents Harold Norman Rohde (d. 1985) and Diane Kathryn (Larson) Rohde (d. 2007) both of Oregon City, OR; and his beloved sister Greta Kristine Rohde (d. 1992) of Oregon City, OR.

Services will be held at 11 am on Saturday, January 18th, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A gathering of friends and family will be held after the service at St. Mary’s Family Center. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Northwest Public Broadcasting. Checks made payable to NWPB, in memory of Harold Rohde, may be mailed to NWPB, Washington State University, PO Box 642530, Pullman, WA  99164-2530, or call 800-842–8991 to donate by telephone.

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