Rodney Sylvester Rougelot

Rodney Sylvester Rougelot, age 90, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 6, 2023, in Salt Lake City, UT. He was a resident of Legacy Village of Sugar House and, in addition to family, was being cared for by Suncrest Hospice.

Born March 3, 1933, in New Orleans, LA, to Rodney Berwin and Sylvia Sylvester Rougelot, Rod was the first of two children – known as FB (Favorite Brother) to his adoring FS (Favorite Sister). He was raised in Chattanooga, TN, where he graduated from Baylor School for Boys in 1951 as valedictorian. On June 11, 1956, he graduated from Cornell University as salutatorian, was commissioned an officer in the US Navy, and married Carol Jean Schuette. During their life together, Rod and Carol lived in Villefranche, France, West Haven, CT, Ithaca and Syracuse, NY, and, since 1972, Salt Lake City, UT.

Rod was a true gentleman and was made of an impenetrable moral fiber. He loved and valued life and lived his belief that all people should be treated inclusively and with respect. Rod was a devout Christian, and served God, his country, family, church, and community, with faith, integrity, devotion, and humility. Through his example, leadership, brilliance, professional innovations, and love of teaching, Rod was the epitome of the pebble in the pond, quietly, yet effectively, making ripples that have spread across and impacted the world.

Rod enjoyed and excelled in football, wrestling, and track and field. Many of his fond childhood memories took place in the Smoky Mountains, including helping his father build their cabin, day trips, canoeing, and being camper and counselor at the YMCA camp. He was honored to meet President Truman while in Washington, D.C. touring with the Baylor Glee Club.

While pursuing his degree in Electrical Engineering at Cornell, Rod served as President of Kappa Sigma, Men’s Glee Club manager, Brigade Commander for all ROTC service branches, and was active in Quill & Dagger, Tau Beta Pi, and Eta Kappa Nu. The most life-impacting part of his Cornell experience was finding his true love, Carol Schuette, whom he met at freshman registration.

Following in the footsteps of his father who served in the US Navy, Rod earned the rank of Lieutenant and served on the USS Salem in the Mediterranean from 1956 to 1958. His last two years of active duty were spent teaching Naval Weaponry at Yale, followed by eight years in the Naval Reserves.

Rod joined General Electric’s Advanced Electronic Center in Ithaca in 1960, exposing him to development and new technology, with which he continued at GE’s E-Lab in Syracuse from 1965 to 1972. Rod’s vision for the future potential and impact of digital technology resulted in a 1972 move to Salt Lake City to join Evans & Sutherland Computer Corporation, where he was a pioneer in computer graphics and visual simulation. As President and CEO, Rod, known for his walking management style, was respected and loved by E&S-ers and colleagues worldwide.

Highlights of Rod’s 34-year career as electronics engineer and innovator included designing delay line memory used in the SAMOS satellite, developing technology that permitted NASA to explore and land on the moon, creating the first daytime visual simulation system for flight training commercial pilots, and developing the original digital planetarium system. Along with his best friend Bob Schumacker, the team is credited with the first use of pixels to create three-dimensional, color shaded, computer rendered objects – the beginning of what we know today as ‘Computer Graphics.’

Rod’s professional acumen earned him accolades and responsibilities. He was a proud lifetime member of IEEE and received the Judith A. Resnick Award for pioneering contributions to space flight simulation, along with multiple NASA honors. He presented at, and was tasked with chairing, the ITSEC international conference.

Rod’s curiosity, intellect, generosity, and love of people benefited his family, church, community, country, and beyond. In his personal life, Rod focused on giving of his time and talents, serving mankind, and always setting a good example. He deeply appreciated his opportunities and worked diligently to facilitate the same for others through mentoring, serving on Boards, including Baylor School and at the University of Utah, Symphony Guild, Scouting, and multiple philanthropic endeavors. At Wasatch Presbyterian Church, Rod served in multiple capacities, including Elder, Deacon, Budget & Finance Committee Chair, and Pastoral Search Committee. 

All who were blessed to know Rod will remember him for his perfectionism, positivity, sense of humor, and spirituality. May we keep his memory alive by perpetuating his driving principles – motivation, inspiration, selflessness, generosity, and inclusion.

Rod was preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Carol Jean Schuette (1934-2002), and two daughters, Denice (1959) and Ruthanna (1971-2009). He is survived by his FS Rhonda Lastrapes; five children, Renée Elizabeth Woodell, Rhonda Louise (Charles 1960-2013) Quinn, Rodney Schuette (Karine Hagen), Ross Lewis (Aida), Roger Berwin (Katrina); nine grandchildren, Chelsea Woodell (Zach) Heller and Tyler Woodell (Greg Ranches), Austin (Hilary Haber) Quinn and Connor Quinn, Daniyar and Sanjar Kushaliev and Waltar Rougelot, Miranda and Emily Rougelot; three great-grandchildren, Clara and Hannah (Heller), Asher (Haber-Quinn); six nieces and eight nephews.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 10, 2023, 10:00 a.m. at Wasatch Presbyterian Church, 1626 South 1700 East, Salt Lake City, UT. Private interment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery. A celebration of Rod’s life will be held on Sunday, June 11, 2023 (Rod and Carol’s wedding anniversary), 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, UT.

Rodney’s funeral service may be viewed by clicking the link above via livestream on 6/10 at 10amMT and at any time following the service.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to contribute to your preferred charity. Some of Rod’s included: Baylor School (Chattanooga, TN), Cornell University, and Wasatch Presbyterian Church.