Rodrick Dorsey's Obituary
Rodrick Dorsey
June 18, 1941 – February 11, 2026
Rod Dorsey, age 84, of Norton Shores, Michigan left us to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026. Rod was born on June 18, 1941 in Wadsworth, Ohio to Anderson and Hazel (Halley) Dorsey. Rod graduated from Roseville High School where he played football and was introduced to his future bride – Barbara Stigler. Upon graduation, he attended The Ohio State University where he studied Engineering and was a member of the ROTC cadre. Shortly after departing OSU, he and Barbara welcomed their first son, Roderick Dorsey, Jr. In 1963, the family moved to Dallas, TX where Rod worked for Collins Radio. He was part of an engineering team working on the U.S. Navy TACAMO trailing wire antenna program designed to provide long range communications with submarines via the VLF Digital Information Network. Later that year Rod and Barbara welcomed their second son, Theodore Dorsey into their home. Next, Rod got an opportunity to take a new position that would put them closer to their family homes and transition to a new engineering task that would become his professional hallmark.
In September of 1964, Rod accepted a new position with Shaw-box Hoist and Crane and a move to Columbus, OH where he worked as a Draftsman and Field Engineer acting as on-site contract representative for new installation, warranty repair, and site engineering for industrial overhead crane and hoist installations. His work required extensive travel that spanned the U.S. and international locations as well. He excelled in this role and was often sought out to advise other companies on best practices for installing cranes in a various and often challenging configurations. In 1972, the Shaw-Box operation in Columbus went through a restructuring and Rod was offered a position with Dresser Crane and Hoist that took the family to Norton Shores, MI. In 1974 Rod and Barbara welcomed their third son, Jon Dorsey, to the family.
Michigan is where the Ohio-born and OSU-educated engineer would plant deep roots professionally, in his church, and in his community. He continued his work in the crane and hoist market, establishing himself as the go-to engineer for new applications, unique installations, and troubleshooting. He continued to be a road warrior, traveling extensively to support work sites wherever the need took him. When he wasn’t on travel for work, he traveled on many occasions to support mission trips in South America, bringing hope and God’s word to communities in need. He served as a deacon and board member at Central Assembly of God, and as a board member for Service-1 Credit Union. He always brought a calm demeanor and a voice of reason in directing activities with a purpose, and in the correct way. Rod was not a man of many words, but when he did have something to say, everyone listened as it would be an input or position that was well-considered.
Rod enjoyed his retirement years spending time with Barbara, family, and friends, quietly supporting his beloved OSU Buckeyes through thick and thin. He never seeked the limelight, rather conducted his life as a servant leader, loving husband, proud father and grandfather, and the kind of friend everyone desperately needs one of. He would drop any task to help anyone, anytime and he quietly left his fingerprints all over the community in ways that made things better. He will be greatly missed.
Rod was preceded in death by his parents, Anderson and Hazel Dorsey, and his wife, Barbara Dorsey. He is survived by his 3 sons; Roderick Dorsey Jr., Theodore Dorsey, and Jon Dorsey; his three daughters-in-law; Iris Dorsey, Cindy Dorsey, and Pam Dorsey; Grandchildren Thea Dorsey, Benjamin Dorsey, Joshua Dorsey, Noah Dorsey, Owen Dorsey, and William Dorsey, and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be given in his name to the Harbor Hospice Foundation.
Arrangements By Shoreline Memorial Services -- Muskegon Chapel -- (231)-722-5050
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