Reverend Rodney E. Houck

Reverend Houck was born Sept. 4, 1932 in Nazareth, PA, son of Kenneth and Irma (Itterly) Houck. He was a graduate of Pen Argyl, PA, High School, class of 1950. He attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA, where he received a Bachelor’s of Art Degree in Comparative Literature. He then went on to receive a Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary, NYC. He also served 3 years in the US Air Force as a Personnel Specialist.

Rev. Houck married Joan M. (Carlson) on Dec. 27, 1959. Ordained as a minister in 1960 by the Presbytery of NY, he served as pastor of churches in the Bronx, NY, Jeffersonville, NY, Providence, RI, and Fredonia, NY. He also resided in Rochester, NY where he held the position of Coordinator of the Southeast Ecumenical Ministry. Throughout his later years he served several churches as the interim minister. Most recently, Rev. Houck was a Friend of the Unitarian-Universalist Society in Fredonia.

Early in his ministerial career in Jeffersonville, NY, Rev. Houck served as volunteer ambulance driver. While living in Fredonia, he was active in the Chautauqua County Rural Ministry, where he served as President of the Board of Directors, and received the “Prophet’s Hoe” award for outstanding service to the community. He served on the Dunkirk-Fredonia Meals on Wheels Board and was also a home meal delivery volunteer. He was an RSVP volunteer through Lutheran Social Services, volunteering at St. Columban’s weekly, playing games with and visiting the residents. He served for several years on the Holocaust Commemoration Committee, assisting with organizing the annual observance program. As a literacy volunteer, Rev. Houck visited prison inmates in Brocton to help them learn to read. He supported the Dunkirk-Fredonia Center for Peace and Justice throughout the years.

Rev. Houck is survived by his wife, Joan, of 65 years, and his children Nancy (Anthony) Martin of Cincinnati, OH; Russell (Virginia) Houck of Syracuse, NY; Douglas (Mary) Houck of High Point, NC; and Joy (Trevor) Jones of Beachwood, OH and his ten grandchildren Derek, Kaela, Abigail, Eric, Matthew, Renee, Harrison, Carlson, Parker, and Christopher and his three great-grandchildren Reese, Avery, and Jett.

A memorial service will be held later this summer in Fredonia; details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations to any of the above organizations supported by Rev. Houck would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at larsontimkofuneralhome.com.