Rodney "Rod" Egger

Rodney “Rod” Egger, 76, of Independence, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Rod was a devoted husband to Patricia Smith Egger for 46 years and a proud Navy veteran who honorably served his country in Vietnam as a medical corpsman. A 1967 graduate of Simon Kenton High School, Rod began his career as a floor layer alongside his father and brothers at Egger Flooring and later went on to run his own successful business. He leaves behind three daughters: Kimberly Beckmeyer, Aimee Finke (Billy), and Sally Spencer (Curt). Rod deeply loved all of his grandchildren and found joy in sharing stories, teasing them playfully, and showing them how to work with tools and build things. He was a proud grandfather to Curtis Spencer (Meg), Lexxie Keel (Fletcher), Cole Finke (Alexis), Owen Finke (Emily), Brady Spencer, Skye Finke, Hayden Spencer and Madeline Spencer. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his great-granddaughter, lovingly referred to as “Baby Finke,” due in 2026. Rod was a lifelong member of the VFW in Latonia, proud of his service and his fellow veterans. He enjoyed shooting pool and throwing darts, trips to River Downs to bet on the horses, and the thrill of the Kentucky Derby each spring. He loved his daily scratch-off tickets. He was fascinated by ships, airplanes, and machinery, often attending air shows with his brother and marveling at how things worked. A craftsman at heart, he built model ships and hand-carved canes for his grandchildren from wood he found in the woods. Rod also loved great conversation. He could talk for hours about science, history, politics, and even aliens—always curious, always thinking, and always ready to share what he had learned. He was known for his love of watches, collecting many over the years, and his fascination with how things ticked, both literally and figuratively. He was never shy about asking questions or trying to understand how things worked, and his mind remained sharp, inquisitive, and full of wonder for the world around him. He is survived by his brothers Brad Egger, David (Judy) Egger, Alex Egger, and Nicholaus Egger, and was preceded in death by his parents Harry Franklin Egger and Evelyn Joanne Egger. Rod will be remembered for his endless curiosity, his love of conversation, and his ability to make any topic, from the mysteries of the universe to the details of everyday life, an engaging discussion. A service to honor Rod’s life will be held on Monday, November 17, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) (at the link below) or Bluegrass Hospice Care in Rod’s honor.