Roland Rhodes Celebrates 88th Birthday, Announces Retirement

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On June 8, Roland Rhodes celebrated his 88th birthday, and with this milestone he decided to officially retire. Rhodes expressed his deep appreciation to all customers, suppliers, friends and business associates during the last 53 years.

 

 

Rhodes graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1949. In 1962, Rhodes saw a need for a distributor in the Kansas City area and he established the company, which moved into its existing location in 1969.

 

A strong support of training and continuing education, Rhodes attended his first NPCA conference in October 1957 and his first attendance at a Purdue PCO Conference in January 1958. He was a charter member of UPF&DA in 1968. He has been the Treasurer of UPF&DA for about 20 years. He has been a member of RISE for many years as well. He joined the Entomological Society of America in 1971 and was also an early member of BCE.

 

Rhodes also has been actively involved in legislative/regulatory matters and he made several trips to Washington, D.C., in the early 1970s to provide testimony to Senate committee during the early days of EPA. He also attended countless NPMA Legislative Day events throughout the years.

 

During the last 10 years, Roland has been scaling back his time in the office and enjoying time with this family.

 

Any birthday wishes to Roland can be sent to PO Box 3204, Kansas City, KS 66103.