Rodney Lee Sentman

Rodney L. Sentman Sunrise: October 24, 1928 Sunset: December 7, 2014 Rodney L. Sentman, 86 years old of Tavares, FL, formerly of Port Deposit, MD, passed away in Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care at Christiana Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Rodney was the son of the late Maude Price Sentman and James L. Sentman, Sr. of Port Deposit. Rodney joined the Army Air Corp/Air Force in 1946. He spent his military career stationed in Japan from 1946 to 1949 and 1949 to 1952 in North Africa and 1952 to 1953 at Lockbourn Air Force Base Ohio. He received a Good Conduct Medal and The Pacific Theatre of Occupation of Japan Medal. He was honorable discharged in 1953 as a Tech Sergeant. His civilian career led him to a position as welder and pipefitter at Wiley Manufacturing Company from 1960-1964. In 1964, he returned to the Federal Government as a career firefighter.  He was assigned to Bainbridge Naval Training Fire Station from 1964 to 1973. In 1973, he transferred to Aberdeen Proving Ground Fire Department where he was a fire protection specialist and served as Asst. Chief from 1973 to 1980. In 1980, Rodney accepted the position as Fire Chief at the Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal at Sunny Point North Carolina. During his tenure he brought that department’s fire fighting equipment and gear up to present day standards. He retired in August 1984. Rodney was not only a career firefighter, but also a volunteer firefighter with the Water Witch Fire Company. This was his 70th year as a member of WWFC. During those 70 years he held many administrative and fire line officer positions within the fire company including President and Fire Chief. He served on many committees within the Harford/Cecil Fireman’s Association, Cecil Fireman’s Association and the State Association. He was instrumental in the establishment of the county’s VLOSAP program. Rodney was also a certified Fire Service Instructor with the University of Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute. Rodney took great pleasure in sharing his knowledge and experience through his teaching of basic Fire Fighting Skills, Scene Safety, Fire Prevention and Suppression. Rodney was also a life member of the Jerry Skrivanek VFW Post 8185 in Port Deposit. In 1961, he was selected as an All State Commander, the first in the history of the VFW Post 8185. He was also selected by the National Organization as an All American Commander, the only Post Commander to attain such honors for Jerry Skrivanek Post 8185 for 50 years. Rodney was also a former elected council member to the Town of Port Deposit. He was also a member of the Elks Club and The First United Methodist Church of Eustis Florida. Rodney enjoyed woodworking and traveling. Rodney is survived by his loving wife of 9 years Shirley Brannan Sentman of Elkton, MD. His children Michael L. Sentman, Sr. and wife Susan of Crawfordville, FL, Kerry Anne Abrams and husband Walter of Port Deposit, MD, and stepson Scott Brannan and wife Dorothy of Athens, AL. Grandsons Michael L. Sentman, Jr. (Jill), Shannon D. Sentman (Kate Amara), Walter Abrams Jr. (Jenn), Brian P. Abrams and Christopher L. (Christy) and Jack and Matthew Brannan. Great grandchildren; Dylan and Emmerson Sentman, Sadie and Atticus Sentman, Mia and Tyler Abrams, and Alexis and Hunter Abrams. Rodney is survived by his siblings, Constance Marshall and family of Cocoa, FL, and James L. Sentman, Jr.(Sharon) and family of Leesburg, FL. His sister-in-law Anne and Ed Thomas of Pasadena, MD, and niece Brooke and Glen Iley and their children Caitlin and Gavin. In addition to his parents, Rodney is predeceased by his loving wife of 40 years Helen Love Sentman and her parents Raymond and Annie Ruth Love, his sister Phyllis Sentman, and brother-in-law Dave Marshall and step-daughter Wendy Brannan and mother-in-law Dorothy Brown. A celebration of life to honor Rodney’s life will be held Friday, December 12, 2014, 12 Noon, at the Port Deposit VFW Post 8185. A graveside service will be held at Friday, December 12, 2014, 11 AM, at Brookview Cemetery, Rising Sun, MD. Pastor Michael Caldwell of Tome Memorial United Methodist Church of Port Deposit will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Water Witch Fire Company or Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care of Christiana Hospital in care of Lee A. Patterson & Son Funeral Home, P.A., P.O. Box 766, Perryville, MD 21903-0766.