Rodman "Rod" Charles Van Leeuwen

R. C. (Rod) Van Leeuwen of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas passed away peacefully on May 20,
2022 at the age of 93. He was born on April 14, 1929 in St Paul, Kansas. He went to grade
school at St. Patrick Catholic School and high school at Walnut Public School—both in Walnut,
Kansas. He was the oldest of five children and preceded in death by his parents; sister, Clara
Frederick; three brothers, Joe, Fr. Joseph and Ben; and his daughter-in-law, Noreen Van
Leeuwen.
Rod married Twila Thyfault at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Zurich, Kansas in 1950. They were
married for 67 years until Twila passed away in 2017. Rod and Twila lived most of their married
life in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He worked in the oil and gas supply business for 32 years. He retired in
1986 as a Division Manager. After retirement Rod and Twila moved to Hudson Lake near Tulsa,
and later to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas in 2000. For a time Rod, Twila, and their children and
spouses, all lived in Hot Springs Village. Rod enjoyed golf, fishing and playing cards.
Rod is survived by his son Rich; his son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Pam Van Leeuwen;
and his daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Ron Chase. He has seven grandchildren: Brent,
Katie, Craig, Anna, Ian, Mark and Kim. He has eleven great grandchildren: Sunny, Melody,
Brooke, Natalee, Henry, Jack, Molly, Harper, Owen, Beau and Oscar.
Rod was a kind, gentle, unassuming man who loved to tease. He was a devout Catholic. The
staff at Mount Carmel Assisted Living, where he resided for five years, all said he was one of
the sweetest residents they ever had, and that he was always so good and thoughtful to all of
them. We are happy Rod is now in heaven with his wife, Twila, and all his other relatives and
friends.
Rod will be placed in the Columbarium at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in
Hot Springs Village with his wife.

The family requests no flowers to be sent at this time. Thank you.