Rodney L. Sechrist

RED LION – Rodney L. Sechrist, 84, passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at Wellspan York Hospital. He was the husband of the Rev. Stephany Smith Sechrist with whom he would have celebrated 61 years of marriage on July 27th.

Born March 11, 1940 in Yoe, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Ralph L. Sechrist and the late Mary Alice (Detwiler) Sechrist Strine, he grew up in Red Lion, spending time on his Grandpa Amos’ farm with his cousins. Flute lessons in Philadelphia and rising early to work for the family business instilled a life-long work ethic. He played in numerous local bands – Lyric Band of Hanover, Felton Band, York Symphony, the Spring Garden Band (from age 8 to 83), and offered his talents in the Bethany U.M. Sunday School orchestra. Rodney enjoyed playing football [fullback] and the friendships forged on the field. After graduating from Red Lion Area High School (Class of 1958), he served in the US Air Force Band touring most of the continental US (1958-1963) and proudly marched in JFK’s Presidential Inaugural parade. Rodney earned both his Bachelor and Master’s degrees from Ithaca College, where he was a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Returning to York County, he taught elementary and junior high music in the Spring Grove and York Suburban schools and private flute and woodwind lessons for many years in York, Hanover, and Red Lion. He shifted to entrepreneurial endeavors in the 1980s - first as Vice President of Construction Welding, and then as a carwash owner. He also drove for Red Lion Bus Company. In 1998, John Bailey and Rodney founded Bailey Coach, where he worked growing the transportation company until 2017 when he retired and became a part-time motorcoach Ambassador.

A dedicated community leader, Rodney served as Windsor Township Supervisor (30 years), a York County Regional Police Commissioner, and as a past member of the Leo Independent #1 Fire Company, the Bethany U.M. Board of Trustees, the York County Planning Commission, and the Red Lion Area School Board. He was a member of the Rotary Club of York, the Red Lion VFW Post 1446, the National Retired Teachers Association, and the former Lafayette Club of York, and a life member of the York County Agricultural Society and of Local 294, American Federation of Musicians.

Rodney loved his family, his community, sharing his flute melodies and hymns, plowing snow, riding his motorcycle, driving bus, and mowing at Singing Meadow Farm. “Rockin’ Rodney” enjoyed any excuse for a road trip and quietly helped others build businesses and grow successful community partnerships. The twinkle in his eye and his ability to make us laugh will be missed.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Sechrist is survived by a daughter, Jenny and husband Christopher Jensen of Salt Lake City, Utah, two sons, Jeremy Sechrist of Key West, Florida, and Zachary Sechrist of Overland Park, Kansas; grandchildren Eric, Jacob, and Thomas Jensen, and Airman First Class Wyatt Sechrist, and two stepsisters, Sharon Land of Kingsland, Georgia, and Cynthia Kendall of Mechanicsburg, and brother-in-law Charles E. Smith, II, of Lancaster. He was preceded in death by a brother, Carson W. Sechrist, and his stepfather, Robert B. Strine, and sister-in-law, Sandra Myers Smith.

A Celebration of Life Tribute Service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 3, 2024 at Bethany United Methodist Church, 121 W. Broadway, Red Lion with Rev. Dr. Roberta Scoville, Rev. Donald Rowe, Rev. David D. Tietje, and Rev. Stephany Sechrist officiating. Visitations will be held from 6-8:00 PM Friday, August 2nd at Bethany U.M. Church and from 9-11:00 AM Saturday at the Church. Private burial will be in Red Lion Cemetery. Olewiler & Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 35 Gotham Place, Red Lion is in charge of arrangements. Rodney’s Tribute Service will be webcast on his obituary page at www.HeffnerCare.com

Memorial contributions may be made to any of the following organizations; Spring Garden Band, 993 Marbrook Lane, York, PA 17404, the American Heart Association at www.heart.org, or a charity of your choice. Later in life, Rodney delighted in surprising others with pies or flowers. Random acts of kindness in his memory are also appreciated.

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