Bio of Richard Rodarte

Vonda and I have four children: Christopher – 22, Tayla – 20, Janay – 15 and Danielle – 10. We have been married since 1980. Our oldest son returned from his mission in Santiago, Chile in May 2002. Our oldest daughter attends BYU and was married in October 2002. Our two youngest are still at home. We live in Henderson (Las Vegas) Nevada and plan to stay here forever.

I am currently serving as the Ward Executive Secretary. I have served in two bishoprics, Stake High Council, YM President, Ward Mission Leader, Elder's Quorum President and various other teaching callings.

I operate a Private Investigation / Independent Insurance Adjusting firm. We have three offices, one in Las Vegas, one in Reno and the other in San Francisco. I run the Las Vegas operation and my partner runs the Reno and San Francisco offices. I have been in this business since 1988.

I love water sports, wake boarding, water skiing, riding the SeaDoo, etc. I also love to golf and play softball. I have an interest in Astronomy and love to take the telescope out for stargazing. I also love to "chill" by playing the guitar.

I graduated from the University of Utah with a BA in Finance. I have also done some continuing education by obtaining my Associate of Risk Management designation from the Insurance Institute of America.

I participated three years in the Boy Scout Golf Marathon to raise funds for the local Scouting District. I was the Project Chairman/Leader for the "Christmas In April" service project for our Ward three consecutive years. I also taught English as a Second Language for a year through the League of Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

Companions (In order): Elders Benson, Sanders, Guymon, Shelton, Belliston, Harris, Spangler, Tweed, Ruppe, Smart, Marchant, Nunez, Spangler (again), Edwards and Swingle. Areas served: La Fesitran (San Pedro Sula), El Progresso (Hond.), Barrio 2 (San Pedro Sula), Managua (two areas), Leon, Turrialba, San Jose.

I served in Leon with Elders Cheney, McCabe & Smart. Cheney and I were pulled out the transfer before the missionaries were evacuated so we missed some of the more exciting experiences. We did, however, have a number of close calls during that time with rowdy neighbors and "manifestaciones." Of course, I have the obligatory collection of photographs of burning tires, uprooted "Somosa Stone" roads, tapes of machine gun fire, etc.

If someone had told me all of the things that I would see or have happen to me on my mission before I went, I probably would have not gone. However, having been through it I wouldn't change a thing. I grew more during those two years than at any time in my life. I had wonderful companions, some who are still close friends today. My experiences are too numerous to mention here but I'm sure that I share many of them in common with the rest of the mission alumni.