Rodger Joseph Garfinkle
Rodger Joseph Garfinkle passed away peacefully at his home in Alameda on February 27, 2020. Born on September 5, 1966, Rodger was a lifelong activist, dedicated husband, father, teacher, and coach.
Rodger was the first grandchild on both sides of his family and the fearless leader of his cousins and siblings in countless adventures and discoveries. His talents with games and sports emerged early, as he took on his uncles and great-uncles in chess at age 5 and won countless trophies at the Lair of the Bear family camp and Lafayette-Moraga Youth Association sports leagues throughout his childhood. He was a self-taught earlyadopter in diverse cultural arenas, including Apple computers, heavy-metal music, and radical economics. His analytical skills and his refusal to conform to academic expectations were equally legendary, as he always seemed to ace his tests without completing bothersome homework, both at Acalanes High School and the University of California, Berkeley.
From an early age he blended his love of the water, fitness, and adventure with his commitment to serving others. As a high school student he volunteered to guide white water rafting trips for inner city youth, an experience that inspired his career in education. He and his wife, Linda Lee, were pivotal in establishing the sport of dragon boat racing in the San Francisco Bay area. One of Rodger’s most enduring legacies is DragonMax, the team he coached, and Linda manages. Their daughters, Maxine and Ruby, grew up in the boats and joined the team competing in championships around the globe. As the coach, Rodger did much more than critique paddling technique and plan race strategies—he built a large, diverse, welcoming, inclusive community.
Rodger was unwavering in his quest for justice, whether as a public elementary school teacher in Oakland, an activist investor challenging Apple’s CFO to reinvest in the company, or when standing up to dragon boat governing boards for fair and equitable standards and practices. He was passionate about fighting for what he believed in and generous in his commitment to others. He demonstrated extraordinary dedication in caring for his family, including his daughters, his late grandparents, Wilfred and Wilma Garfinkle, and his late brother, Dan Garfinkle, following the loss of their mother, Suzi.
Rodger is survived by his wife, Linda Lee, his two daughters, Maxine and Ruby Garfinkle, his father, Gary Garfinkle, and his sister, Elizabeth Garfinkle.
For information on Rodger’s memorial, go to http:// evite.me/f1ezuyG5H5