Alan Joseph Rhody
December 26, 1941 ~ December 26, 2022
Alan “Big Tuna” Joseph Rhody, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather,
brother, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on his birthday at the age of
81, on the 26 th of December, 2022.
Alan was a Colorado native, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, and had a passion for
everything outdoor. He was an avid fisherman throughout his life, as well as a goose and
pheasant hunter. His childhood memories were filled with fishing and hunting stories with his
younger brother, John Rhody. Every year during their dad’s vacation, Alan and John would visit
Cooper’s Ranch in Gunnison, CO and would walk and play along the creekside, from sunrise to
sundown. Vacations also included trips to the “Duboi Cabin,” built by their grandfather Duboi in
Bailey, CO. John and Al could never forget the one year during opening day when the two boys
caught so many fish, they couldn’t keep count. John cherishes these memories he shared with his
brother and the fact that he was the first and last person to fish with Al.
Alan graduated from Denver North High School in 1960 and was then drafted by the US Army
at the age of 19. After he was honorably discharged, he served his time in the reserves. He
worked with his uncle for a few years, and later at a local grocery company, then finally landed
at Public Service. Al worked his way up from the mailroom to reading meters, and finally to the
Lookout Mountain Division’s Gas Control unit. He retired with Publics, now Xcel Energy, after
37 wonderful years.
Al’s main love, the love of his life, was his wife Barbra. They first met at Parents without
Partners in their early 30’s, when Al accidentally tripped on Barbara’s chair walking past her,
and it was love at first sight. Six months later, on December 1, 1973, they were united in
marriage at Berkeley Community Church. One stipulation Al had for Barb before marriage was,
“if you can manage my fishing and hunting, we will have a beautiful marriage,” and that they
did. They enjoyed car rides up the mountains, trips to watch the leaves change in the fall, trips to
Glenwood every year with their children and then grandchildren, and going to see a new matinee
movie each week. They were the best of friends and always enjoyed every moment they shared
together.
Al’s love for the great outdoors was highlighted by his passion for fishing and hunting, but
especially by his passion for his family, and for being able to share this love with them. Alan
was the definition of a true family man: he worked hard, but always put family first. He would
never miss a family member’s function, even if it meant postponing a fishing or hunting trip. Of
all the places he had fished within Canada, the western United States, and several in Colorado,
his favorite spot was Monarch Lake, CO. More recently, he picked up a new hobby of rock
collecting. He would walk along various lakes surrounding the house where he and Barb lived,
for upward of 10 miles each trip, picking up rocks and throwing away trash others had left on the
beautiful land he loved so dearly. He would polish these small rocks and create beautiful
decorative crosses for his family’s homes.
Al also enjoyed grilling and perfecting his steak over the years that he routinely made for co-
workers, friends and family. One of his most famous and top requested dishes was a steak with
sautéed mushrooms, buttered noodles, and either mashed potatoes or potatoes au gratin. This was
later named by his oldest grandson, Chad, as the “Big Tuna Special.”
Alan’s love for sweets, his infectious laugh, and abundant amount of kindness by always
thinking of others before himself, will be dearly missed. Al asked that his dear friend Tom be
waiting for him to cast their first line together, and we have no doubt that is what they’re doing
right now.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Olene and father, Leo.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Barbara; his children, Jamie (Daniel) Fessenden, Marty
(Elizabeth) Colman, Kris Rhody, Kathy (David) Gissing; his brother, John (Diana) Rhody; and
six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A private Celebration of Life will be held this spring.
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