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Public: Recent News

Edward Rodman

Edward N. Rodman, past president of the North Carolina Bar Association, died Tuesday, April 29, in Washington at the age of 81. He served as president of the NCBA in 1975-76.

Rodman hailed from a firm and family rich in legal history and rooted in the fabric of Beaufort County. A 1955 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Law, he practiced law throughout his career with the firm of Rodman Holscher Francisco & Peck until his retirement in 2000.

His father, Judge William B. Rodman III, preceded him as a member of the firm, which dates back to the early 1870s. Cousins John and Owen Rodman also practiced there; John C. Rodman served as president of the NCBA in 1947-48.

Ed Rodman’s grandfather, William B. Rodman Jr., also practiced law in Washington.

“Ed was a lawyer’s lawyer,” said longtime law partner David Francisco. “He loved the law. In that regard, perhaps he was part of a dying breed. We still love the law, but Ed looked at it as his father looked at it.

“He loved life and nature and sailing and fishing and living on the river. He had a real zest for life and absolutely loved Washington.”

The funeral for Ed Rodman will take place Thursday morning, May 1, at 11 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 101 N. Bonner St., in Washington. Visitation will follow the service. Arrangements are by Hillside Funeral Service.

“Ed Rodman served as president at a formative time in the life of the North Carolina Bar Association,” recalled Executive Director Allan Head. “He provided vision and leadership at a time when a number of creative programs were in their infancy here.”

Survivors include his wife, the former Edith Dark, a beloved member of the NCBA staff who served for many years as an administrative assistant.