Obituary
John R. (Rod) Humenuik
John R. (Rod) Humenuik passed away peacefully on Jan. 24, 2022, at the age of 83. Rod, also known as Coach, was a beloved and amazing man, husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Rod also was a gifted professional football player, teacher, and an accomplished, inspiring, and award-winning football coach. Rod lived life out loud and to the max – always ready to share a smile, words of wisdom, or a joke to add laughter and light to the world around him.
Rod was born on June 17, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan. Until the age of 12, he and his mother lived in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. They moved to Detroit for a year before a big move West. He was raised by a strong and independent mother, and he was an only child. Hoping for better weather, he and his mom moved to West Los Angeles in the spring of 1952. He attended Louis Pasteur Junior High. There, he met the love of his life, Susie McGlauflin, in home room.
Rod attended L.A. High School and was on the football team. He earned All-City honors and played in the All-City Championship Game vs. Manual Arts High School in 1955.
After a successful high school football career, he was granted a football scholarship to USC. Rod attended USC and earned B.S. and master’s degrees in education. Rod and Susie had a good-natured, ongoing rivalry because Susie was a UCLA graduate!
Shortly after graduation, he was recruited to play professional football in the CFL for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers coached by Bud Grant. Married by this time, Rod and Susie and 1-year-old daughter Kim flew to Canada. The beginning of many adventures. Rod played for the Bombers for three years, winning the Grey Cup in 1961 and 1962.
They returned to Southern California and bought a house in Whittier. He started his coaching career at the high school level. Two years later, he coached at Fullerton Junior College and after a successful season, the team played in the Junior Rose Bowl.
He got the opportunity to coach at USC, his alma mater. He coached there under Coach John McKay for five years, which included four Rose Bowls and one National Championship. Our family now included four children – Kim, Kerry, Kelly and Mike.
After being the head coach at Cal State Northridge for two years, another adventure opened up to return to Canada to coach the Toronto Argonauts. Rod coached there in 1973 and 1974. One thing about Rod’s persona – everything was an adventure!
After traveling extensively for many years for Rod’s career, Rod and Susie decided to settle in Scottsdale, Arizona, as the family’s home base.
Rod joined the NFL to coach under Forrest Gregg at the Cleveland Browns. Many happy years there – eight football seasons. Next move was to Kansas City to coach the Chiefs. A great experience and city. After two seasons, Rod moved on to the New England Patriots. After an exciting season, the Patriots played in the 1986 Super Bowl 20 vs. the Chicago Bears. What an amazing experience! The years in the East covered eight years, including one year with the New York Jets.
NFL Europe came next – one year in Germany and one year in England. Next came two years in the Arena League in Detroit – 2001 and 2002. A different game for sure. At the end of the season, a decision was made to return to Scottsdale. Rod taught and coached in the Scottsdale Unified School District for eight years. After retiring at age 72, Rod loved to spend time with Susie and their children and grandchildren. Rod was a man of great faith. Rod loved to stay fit, read about WWII, listen to music, go to movies, and read Clive Cussler books. He was very active. He so enjoyed the beauty of Scottsdale and would often say “another day in Paradise” and “if you get into trouble, make it fun trouble.” He would often ask a server when he and Susie went to a restaurant, “How about a Singapore Sling?”
Rod lived his life with passion, purpose and perseverance. Never giving up, never giving in. He would say everything is dynamite and the fuse is lit! He will be forever loved, cherished and remembered.
Rod is survived by his wife of 63 years, Susie, four children, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
A private memorial service in celebration of his life will be held in California this summer. Donations can be made to Hospice of the Valley.
VIA: https://www.azcentral.com/obituaries/par057516
Recent Comments