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Former Representative Rod Bockenfeld (R-HD56) died in his home on Thursday, February 13, following a long battle with cancer. Bockenfeld was elected to the General Assembly in 2018 and served until last year.
Many of Bockenfeld's colleagues and other officials expressed their condolences Monday, with Governor Polis sharing in a statement:
"Today, I join many across the state to honor the life of Former Representative Rod Bockenfeld. I am thankful for Rep. Bockenfeld's commitment to his district and his thoughtful approach to his legislative work, including during his time at the Joint Budget Committee. My thoughts are with the Bockenfeld family and I hope they find comfort in their community during this difficult time.”
Governor Polis ordered flags to fly at half-staff Tuesday in the former representatives honor, and a Catholic Mass was held in his memory in Aurora on Monday.
Rodney Joseph Bockenfeld, Colorado State Representative, age 69, passed away at his home in Watkins, Colorado, on February 13, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Rod was born December 9, 1955, in Quincy, Illinois. He was a graduate of Catholic Boys High School in 1974, Western Illinois University in 1978, and University of Colorado Graduate School of Banking in 1990. Rod moved to Denver in 1978 and became a fraud investigator for Mountain States Bankcard and later for Central Bank of Denver where he met his wife Susan in 1984. They were married in 1985 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and were blessed with five children, Paul, David, Joseph, Jacob and Erika.
Rod was welcomed in heaven by his father Donald Bockenfeld, mother Patricia Meado, brother Jeffrey Bockenfeld, beloved son David Strickland, and beautiful granddaughter Ryleigh Bockenfeld. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Susan, son Paul (Nermina) Strickland, son Joseph (Aaron) Bockenfeld, son Jacob (Kaylan) Bockenfeld, and daughter Erika Bockenfeld as well as eight grandchildren, his brother Jim Bockenfeld and sister Donnette Cannady.
Rod was born for politics! He was high school class president 2 years and also president of the Denver Chapter of the International Association of Credit Card Investigators. A 20-year career in banking and then owning his own financial business for 10 years helped prepare him for his political career. He was elected Arapahoe County Commissioner for three terms 2004 – 2016. Several of those years he served as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners and served on the Finance Committee. Rod also served as Chairman of the Denver Regional Council of Governments for one year as well as on several committees for the National Association of Counties. He was elected Colorado State Representative for District 56 for three terms 2018 – 2024 and served on the prestigious Joint Budget Committee for his final term. Rod was honored to serve the citizens of Colorado as both commissioner and state representative.
Rod was very proud of the adults his children have become and cherished the memories of them growing up and later the time spent with his grandchildren. One of his favorite things to do was to travel in the motorhome with his family. They visited all but three of the lower 48 states over the last 35 years. The final adventure Rod and his wife Susan took was to Germany in 2023. They visited five towns where his ancestors had lived. This trip was his lifelong desire come true!
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Rod's honor to the Glioblastoma Foundation.
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