Rodney Hutt

July 12, 1949 - September 5, 2018

Rodney "Rod" Harland Hutt (69), formerly of Lincoln and Grant, Nebraska died peacefully on Sept 5, 2018, at his home in Grayslake, Illinois. Rod was born on July 12, 1949, in Pawnee City, Nebraska to Harland and Lois Hutt. The family moved to Cozad, Nebraska in 1957 and Rod attended rural country school at District 19 and Cozad High School. They moved to Grant, Nebraska in 1966 where Rod attended and graduated from Perkins County High School in 1967. He then attended college at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. While in Lincoln, he became involved with the Nebraska Department of Highway Safety and later became the Director of the Department. In July 1973, Rod married Kathlene Zauha of Lexington, Nebraska. Rod and Kathy moved back to Grant in 1974 and Rod became part owner of Grant Bean & Seed, a family owned bean processing and marketing business. Rod always enjoyed working with radio communications. In 1984 he began working for Motorola and was soon promoted to Regional Manager in Billings, Montana. While in the communications business, Rod later became President and CEO of 21st Century Wireless and the family moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. After several years in Minnesota, Rod and Kathy returned to Lincoln where Rod became involved with the Department of Homeland Security and was part of the advisory committee for establishing a statewide radio communications network for Nebraska. Later in his retirement, Rod and Kathy decided to move to Grayslake, Illinois to be closer to their daughter Suzanne and her family. Rod enjoyed being a problem solver and treasured working with and empowering people around him throughout his life. He was active in Boy Scouts during his youth and attained the elite rank of Eagle Scout with 5 Palms. He enjoyed volunteering for several emergency organizations throughout his life, including serving as Chief of the Grant Volunteer Fire Department for many years and as a Grant City Council member. Rod passed away after a strong and courageous struggle with cancer. Rod is survived by his loving wife Kathy, son John (Hilary) Hutt, and daughter Suzanne (Derek) Romeo and four beautiful grandchildren, Ryan and Lindsay Hutt and Sofia and Elena Romeo. He is also survived by brother Dennis (Ronda) Hutt of Grant, Nebraska and their three daughters, Janelle, Valerie and Andrea, and families, as well as other countless loving family members and friends. Rod died with a fulfilled life and is at peace with God and Christ as his eternal Savior. Cremation was chosen, and a family inurnment and committal service will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be shared at the Bullock-Long Funeral Home website (www.bullocklongfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Grant Volunteer Fire Department, care of Bullock-Long Funeral Home, 409 Warren Ave, Grant, NE 69140.