March 15, 1967 – August 24, 2024 Summit County lost a true mountain lover when Rodney Lee Essink, left us unexpectedly on 8/24/24. Rod, 57, lived in Summit County, where he called home for the last 28 years. He moved to Colorado from Iowa with the love of his life, his wife Sherry in 1996 for the pure love of the mountains and hiking.
Rod was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on 3/15/1967 and later moved to Des Moines, IA with his parents. Being born in Nebraska led to his diehard love for the Huskers. He rarely missed a Huskers football game ever and he would even plug in an old school VCR and push record so he wouldn’t miss the game if he couldn’t watch live.
And no doubt, he would stand-up, yell and scream at the TV through the entirety of the game regardless of winning or losing. Rod was fortunate enough to live in a place he absolutely loved and enjoy his life to the fullest. Rod would probably never admit to it, but it wasn’t until his soulmate Sherry convinced him to travel to Colorado to explore the mountains, that he realized his love for hiking.
He would hike and backpack as often as he could with his best-friend and back-packing buddy, Hendrix, by his side. I am not sure who loved who the most, but Hendrix wouldn’t leave Rod’s side unless he had to. His grandson will be stepping in to give Hendrix the love and care he deserves since Rod is unable.
Most people will remember Rod for many things including his love/passion for music. He was able to attend hundreds .
