The family of Rodman “Mike” Eddy regretfully announces that Mike died at home on Oct. 9, 2008, after a short fight with cancer.

Mike was born in Portsmouth, Va., on Sept. 2, 1940, to Helen and Frank Eddy. His father was a naval officer and submarine skipper, so in his formative years he moved around the country and attended several elementary and primary schools. Later in life, he attended the North Kitsap junior and senior high school. The Navy took his family to Italy where he graduated from Forrest Sherman High School in Naples in 1958. It was here that he met his future wife, Charlotte Dankworth.

Mike entered the Naval Academy in 1960 and graduated in 1964. He and Charlie were married the next day. The Navy then sent him to Pensacola, Fla., for flight training. After Pensacola he received jet training in Kingsville, Texas, where he earned his aviator’s wings.

Mike flew A-4s out of Lemoore, Calif., during the Vietnam conflict and then transitioned to A-6s at NAS Whidbey. After multiple tours in Vietnam, Mike was sent to Monterey, Calif., where he received a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School in 1974.

He had later tours of duty in A-6s based out of NAS Oceana, Va., and was later CO of a training squadron in Pensacola. The Navy next sent him to Alameda, Calif., where he served as navigator on the USS Enterprise. His last tour was Executive Officer at NAS Whidbey where he retired from active duty. He then worked as a civilian for the Allen Corporation on the base developing training programs for pilots and ECMOs in EA-6Bs and for pilots and BNs in A6s.

Mike continued to pursue his love of flying after retiring from the Navy. He received his private pilot’s certificate and then became certified as an instructor pilot. He joined the NAS Whidbey Flying Club and trained many young aspiring pilots.

Mike was very involved in the greater Oak Harbor community. He served in the Oak Harbor Rotary and enjoyed launching floats in the annual 4th of July parade. He was involved in many nature and conservancy projects including Beachwatchers and the Sierra Club.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte; son Scott of Pensacola; son Brett of Poulsbo; and grandchildren Patrick, Brendan, Madison and Caedon.

In the spirit of enjoying life, he requested that there be no memorial services, and that memorial donations be made to the Nature Conservancy (www.nature.org) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.