Bernadette (Bunny) Beales Rodak, professor emeritus of pathology at Indiana University School of Medicine, died peacefully on March 22, 2016. She was 70 years old.
Bunny lived with pancreatic cancer for eight months. She faced her illness with courage and hope, and with her characteristic big smile as she cared for those around her, from family members to medical professionals. She died as she lived, with dignity and grace, and with confident faith in God.
Her proudest achievement was her work to advance clinical laboratory science, particularly in the textbook Rodak’s Hematology. Now in its fifth edition, the book is considered the premier text for the study of blood. Bunny also co-authored the Clinical Hematology Atlas, also in its fifth edition, with her friend and colleague Jacqueline Carr.
Bunny began her career in medical technology and clinical laboratory science soon after graduation from Mt. St. Agnes College in Baltimore in 1968. She received her Master of Education from the University of Kentucky in Lexington in 1980. She grew up in Washington, D.C. as one of eight siblings and attended St. Anthony’s High School there.
She began her career at IU in 1990, having previously served as education coordinator for the medical technology program at the University of Delaware. She also worked in her field at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis (1981-1988) and Providence Hospital in Anchorage (1974-1981). After retirement from IU in 2013, she taught online classes at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
She was a member of the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) from 1974 until her death and was a frequent speaker at conferences across the nation. In 2013, she received the organization’s highest award, the Robin H. Mendelson Award in honor of outstanding service and contributions to the ASCLS, the ASCLS Education and Research Fund and to the CLS profession.
She was committed to community service, serving as a longtime volunteer at Gennesaret Free Clinic where she was named Volunteer of the Year in 2007. She volunteered regularly at Komen Breast Tissue Bank. She also led a team of professionals who answered consumers’ questions on the award-winning website, www.labtestsonline.org. She was the author of many professional publications.
Bunny was a dedicated member of St. Monica’s Catholic Church, where she sang with the folk group Sonrise. She and Bob were members for many years of a small group within St. Monica’s who nurtured each other’s faith and shared one another’s joys and sorrows. She was a person of prayer who also encouraged others to pray, especially for people who were ill or injured. Bunny and Bob were avid Indianapolis Colts fans. They enjoyed traveling, most memorably to Ireland and to Oberammergau, Germany for the Passion Play.
Bunny is survived by her husband of 19 years, Bob Hartman; stepdaughters Monica (Brad) Reinking and Kathleen (Dan) Monnett; grandchildren, Jacob and Hanna Monnet; sisters, Virginia (Lester) Sill, Carol (Ron) Sams, Katherine Poore, Rosemary Beales, and Eileen (Dave) Johnson, and her brother Allan Beales. She was devoted to her many nieces and nephews, including her godsons Timothy Ollry, Jason Perham and Mark Gidlund. She is also survived by her beloved black lab Annie; and a host of colleagues and friends. She is preceded in death by her first husband Michael (Chip) Rodak; parents, Charles Melvin and Rosemary Doyle Beales; sister, Mary Patricia Violette, and infant brother Jimmy Joe.
Visitation will be Monday, March 28, 4-8 p.m., at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in St. Augustine Hall, 6131 Michigan Road, Indianapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 29, at St. Monica’s in the gymnasium.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rodak Scholarship Fund: ASCLS Education and Research Fund, 1860 International Drive, Suite 2000, Tysons Corner, VA 22102. Please indicate Rodak Memorial on the memo line. Donations may also be made online at http://www.ascls.org/about-us/education-and-research-fund/education-and-research-fund-testimonials
Jennifer Bushnell says
What a wonderful lady – I sat next to Mrs. Rodak several years ago at an educator’s conference. I didn’t know who she was at the time. We chatted briefly and I offered her a cough drop for her cold. Later, I realized she was the “Bunny Rodak”. Her humble and kind disposition never left me. I often share this story with my students, simply to let them know that kindness and humility make a lasting impression. My deepest sympathy for Mrs. Rodak’s husband and family…
Jennifer Bushnell
McNeese State University
Lake Charles, LA
Bruce & Judy Campbell says
Bunny was our neighbor. We only got to know her because of her love for dogs and walking them. She-they will be sadly missed…
Vanessa (Bateman) Lynch says
So sorry to hear this. Twenty plus years later, I still love the zest she brought to the classroom.
(MT Class of 1994)
Mary Jane Yue says
I, too, met Mrs. Rodak at an educators conference a few years back as we both were waiting in the hotel lobby for our airport transport. At first I did not know who she was but found her so friendly and humble. I could not believe I was “shooting the breeze” with this well renown author. I’m glad to see that she had great faith in the Lord as she now is in His company.
She has definitely made an impact both professionally as well as spiritually. Thank you Bunny for what you have done for others and for the Lord.
Diane Deutsch-Keahey says
I only just found out that Bernadette (Bunny) Rodak passed away last year. I use her Clinical Laboratory Hematology textbook and Atlas in my hematology courses and they are quite good. I wish the editors of the 5th edition had not removed two of Bunny’s chapters; they were very good. She was kind and down to earth, and worked hard on her books and she loved what she did. I cried when I found out.
Rest in Peace and Glory Ms. Rodak. You touched so many lives, including mine and those of my students, and I thank you.