We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Roman "Rome" here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.
Another South Haven icon is gone. Who didn't know and love Rome? May all of our thoughts and prayers bring comfort to Mrs. Rydecki and family. Thanks, Rome, for all your service to your country and community. Grace be yours.
PJ Canonie-Bubin
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
We went to some school, he was 5 years older than me. Sorry for your loss. Ruth Elliott.
Ruth Elliott VanDruska
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Mark, I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Even though, as adult children, it is something we anticipate, its still not easy. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Sandy Visser
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Sincerest condolences to all the Rydecki family.
Steve and Nancy Cerny
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rome was always smiling. He was truly one of the nicest people I've known in South Haven. Our condolences to the family.
CYNTHIA PALANZI
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Keith I'm so sorry to hear of you dad's passing. What a wonderful man! Sending my sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Jill Wininger
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
To the Rydecki family! Rome was one of my favorite people. He was always nice and friendly. My prayers are with you Beverly. You are so special, too!
Joyce Weber
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
My condolences to the family!
Robin (Byrd) Ramsey
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Beverly and family, We are keeping you in our prayers. My Mom always enjoyed sharing a laugh with Rome. Beverly, my Mom treasured your friendship. Peace be with you.
Duane & Patty (Bus) Ninke
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rome always had a smile and very friendly to me when he came in to pay utility bills. Will be missed. GOD bless the family.
Dorothy E Holmes
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
I'll always think of Rome as a man with a big smile always ready to help. I hope his journey was peaceful. Hugs to each of you.
Karyn Adler Fasel
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rome was an incredible gift to our community-always a gentle soul with the kindest smile. My condolences to the family.
Anne Long
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
With out knowing it Rome you truly were the example for the young men who knew you to follow ! Good by old friend till we meet again !! Keith and family you were blessed to have such a fine man for your Dad !
Doug Quinn
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
We have good memories of Rome. He was always such a friendly, kind person. He will certainly be missed. My condolences to the whole family.
Janet Lynam
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
My family & I loved Rome! We knew him for many years. Our condolences. God's blessings, Kathy Haines Dailey
Kathleen Haines Dailey
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
So very sorry for the passing of Rome. We remember him as a genuinely caring and kind man. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Tim and Sus Giesler
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
You truly missed out if you did not know this man!! I worked for Rome a number of years at the station. He always had smile on his face and he taught me to be good to people. What a mentor - he will be greatly missed!! Mrs. Rydecki, Mark, Cathy, and Keith my condolences to you all!!
Tony and Aundria Quinn
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
To the Rome Rydecki family, Rome was a true blessing to South Haven. Rome will be missed by all !!!!!!!😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕
Nancy A Shumaker
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rome always followed the high school sport teams in the 60's and always had a kind word an encouragement. I would try to see him at the station or hoped to run into him when visiting South Haven. He was truly a "people person" and wore a smile whenever I would see him. South Haven's loss.
Carl Olsen
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
Always looked forward to chatting with Rome when i would see around town. A real people person.
Marty Pfaff
May 10th, 2021 at 12:00am
My sincere condolences to the Rydecki Family on the passing of Mr. Rome. What a kind and gentle soul. I will miss not running in to him in the bakery cafeteria. 🙏🏻
Jan Pfaff
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
To the Rydecki's. Please accept my most sincere condolences on your loss of Rome. Always a kind and sincere man who was so well liked.
Dave Wiatrowski
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rydecki Family, Always a friendly smile and hello when we would see Rome and Beverly out and about in town. The community will miss him very much. Our thoughts and prayers to all of Rome’s family and friends.
David and Arlene Campbell
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
I remember the station. Rome was a very special person. When I was in town always went to the station and asked for Rome. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Diane Kelley Ford
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
' Filling up at the pump ' is usually not an inspirational moment ; however to drive into Rome'[s Station was always a pleasure . Rome always greeted me with a smile and a positive message. Somehow , these attributes were passed on to son, Keith, when he took over the station. My sympathy to all family members.
Maurice (Maury) Carroll
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rome, I'm sure you will be greeted at the Pearly Gates as St. Peter says, "jagshemash". Rest in Peace my friend.
Joe Jason
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
Thinking and praying for all of you during this difficult time.
Jennifer Jarvis
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Rydecki family. Rest in Peace Rome - you earned it. I will miss your smile, friendly demeanor and not seeing you around the community.
JACQUELYN COWLES
May 11th, 2021 at 12:00am
Always so kind and friendly, a wonderful guy! Condolences to his family.
Linda Tejchma
May 12th, 2021 at 12:00am
My condolences to all those who knew and loved Mr. Rydecki.
Andrew Dorow
May 12th, 2021 at 12:00am
Such a kind man and always had a smile. Thoughts and prayers to your family.
Ginger (Fritz) Smith
May 12th, 2021 at 12:00am
Here's to one of the coolest, and most-generous, dads in town. Keith, you always had a great role model, one who always treated us with respect even when we didn't necessarily deserve it. Rome is already greatly missed.
Andy Giegerich
May 12th, 2021 at 12:00am
Thanks Andy, how right you are.
Keith Rydecki
May 13th, 2021 at 12:00am
May comfort and peace surround you all. May warm memories of him be with you always.
Terri Auensen
May 13th, 2021 at 12:00am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Rome was such a friendly and gentle person. Will miss running into him on Sunday breakfast.
Kevin & Laurie Bierhalter
May 13th, 2021 at 12:00am
Tanks for sharing you memories of Covert...
Barbara Rose
May 13th, 2021 at 12:00am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He was an amazing man.
Belinda & Chuck Sherman
May 14th, 2021 at 12:00am
Our condolensces to all the family. Rome will be surely missed. A friend to all and patriarch that we all can look up to. All the years of being around the family and hanging out at the gas station as a yound man I always left with a welcomed feeling. No matter who you were Rome would be there for you. We love you Rome! Gary & Mary Strader
gary strader
May 14th, 2021 at 12:00am
My condolences to the Rydecki family. Rome always had a friendly greeting when I would drop the car off for service. His smile was wonderful. I certainly missed him asking if I was still running or biking when he retired. He was always there when you needed help.
Chris Wagoner
May 15th, 2021 at 12:00am
Mark, Keith Sorry to read of Romes passing he always had a great smile. never said a bad word about anything.
Brian J Horan
May 15th, 2021 at 12:00am
So sorry for your loss. He left a great legacy in South Haven
Mo Lewandowski
May 16th, 2021 at 12:00am
Mrs. Rydecki & family..so sorry for your loss. He always spoke when he seen me no matter where. Kind & generous soul.
Pat Kelemen
May 16th, 2021 at 12:00am
Johann Shelton. As long as I knew Mr. Rydecki Always pleasant to talk to smiling positive outlook and great customer service. An example to imitate for the people I knew and know in life you are committed to my mind and heart.
Johann S Shelton86
May 16th, 2021 at 12:00am
Bev, Cathy, Ryan, Connor and all the Rydecki family; Gary and I are so sad to hear about Rome’s passing. He was always so active and healthy. We always enjoyed talking with him when we’d run into him around town. Such a friendly guy! I know he is missed by many.
Gary and NAncy Sturm
May 18th, 2021 at 12:00am
Rome was one of the kindest souls we were fortunate to ever know. His caring demeanor and smile will be greatly missed but never forgot. He was a true gentleman. To the whole Rydecki family know our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Charlie & Cheryl Hamlin & Family
May 18th, 2021 at 12:00am
Mr. Rydecki portrayed trust. His smile was genuine. Keith you have that same quality... our condolences to you and your family.
Todd and Kim Leist
May 18th, 2021 at 12:00am
Time passes ever more quickly as we age. Why wasn't it just a few years ago that Rome was out there running his station? It was long ago and it was yesterday.
John Davis
May 19th, 2021 at 12:00am
Deepest condolences to his loved ones and family. Mr. Rydecki, "Rome" was a true gentleman who lived by the golden rule. Treated others as he himself would want to be treated. Fair and honest, friendly and helpful. An adult in the community young people could look up to and strive to emulate. Rest in peace
Christian L Madsen
May 21st, 2021 at 12:00am
My deepest condolences. My dad would NOT go anywhere else for gas or service if he could help it. He would just hang out with Rome shootin' the breeze for a while (probably didn't even need gas). I thought Rome always took good care of me because I was "Hank's daughter", but really, that was just the way he was. You couldn't help but smile when he came out with his genuine smile and demeanor. They're probably chatting away together now. RIP.
Martha Gregory Hodgman
May 21st, 2021 at 12:00am
Such a kind man, and such a spark in his eyes as his work was I think a way to share kindness with everyone he touched. May God give the Rydecki family peace and comfort in this trying time.
Dave Decker
May 29th, 2021 at 12:00am
To the Rydecki Family,
Charlan 'Char' Otto
June 2nd, 2021 at 12:00am
