It is with a heavy heart that I bring news of the passing of Rocket Rod Romanak. Rod passed away on February 4, 2011. His passing is a great loss to the brewing community. For those of you who don’t know him, he owned Rocket Suds (brew shop) in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii Island. Rod was very proud of having attended every National Homebrewers Conference. He was crowned Homebrewer of the Year in 2004. He will be missed by many. R.I.P. Rocket Rod.
I was so sorry to hear this news. I know it must be a blow to your brewing community and huge loss to all of Rod’s friends and his family. I first met Rod during my first time attending the National Homebrewers Conference, and I saw him at all of the conferences until about 2006. I’m so glad Rod’s son started homebrewing with him in recent years. My thoughts are with Rod’s family.
Cheers to Rocket Rod!
Janis
Wow, this is really sad news, sorry to hear it. Thanks for telling us punatic. I already regretted not stopping him to see him when we were on the big island last year, now I feel worse. It’s a big loss for the homebrewing community. My thoughts go out to his family.
Darn, didn’t know the man, but it sounds like he will be missed…Fair winds Rod.
Wow, that is sad. Rod and his wife invited us to their home for a homebrew party back in December of 2004 when we were visiting the island. They were both very gracious hosts. I am thankful to have been able to have shared a homebrew with him.
I’ll lift a homebrew in his honor tonight.
Wish I had met him. Sad.
What was the story of Mr. Romanak’s interesting monicker? Rocket Rod, I like that.
Condolences to his friends and family.
My guess is that he had something to do with a hop rocket…
I had judged with Rod in Hawaii back in 06 , on small coffee plantation right before the Kona Brewers Fest, he, his wife and his friends were the most gracious people you would ever want to meet, here are some pictures of Ron’s place , and judging site , it was quite nice :
Positively Porter is Rocket Rod’s Homebrewer of the Year winning recipe, and a Big Brew 2011 recipe too.
Thank you.
Sorry to hear the news. Although I have never personally met him, his contributions to the homebrewing community will be sadly missed.
R.I.P. Rocket Rod.