I was privileged to go through basic training in 1943 with Rod at Camp McCall in North Carolina. (11th Airborne – 511 Parachute Infantry.) It just so happened that he and I shared the same bunk – Rod in the upper bunk and me in the lower bunk. I took pleasure in putting my feet against the bottom of his bed and bouncing him up and down. After lights were out, Rod would keep the barrack in stitches with his humor and creative stories about almost anything. It was no surprise to me that years after WWII was over, I watched and listened with amazement to Rod’s creative radio and TV programs. He was a great guy and a natural for the life-work that he entered into.
Bob Wagner, on the PBS website
