Businesswoman, philanthropist Kitty Rodman dies
Kitty Rodman, a trailblazing businesswoman and philanthropist, passed away at age 88 Thursday morning after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Rodman was an only child, and her husband died before they had any children. But those that knew Rodman will attest she left behind a very large family, who will remember her for her business acumen and generosity.
Rodman was well-known in the community for her work with Opportunity Village, UNLV and in the construction industry.
“Just knowing Kitty and learning from her as I did and observing her graciousness has become a part of who I am,” said Nancy Strouse, executive director of the UNLV Foundation. “When I first moved to Las Vegas I didn’t know anyone. She would take me by the hand and introduce me to everyone she knew in the room.”
The understated, unassuming woman was instrumental in Opportunity Village’s start in 1954, and used her influence and business acumen to aid the nonprofit ever since. In 2000, the Kitty Rodman Center was built into the organization’s Henderson campus and serves as a rare site for fine and performing arts enrichment for people with intellectual disabilities. Currently the program boasts more than 80 artists.
“All because Kitty believed in giving people a chance,” said Linda Smith, associate executive director for Opportunity Village. Smith knew Rodman for 35 years and described her as “bigger than life.”
Rodman also made significant contributions to UNLV. The university has a residence hall named after her, and in 1995 she received an honorary doctorate for her years of service to the school. She was awarded the Presidents Medal in 1998 and the 2005 Silver State Award.
The Southern belle had been a member of the UNLV board of trustees and the Presidents Inner Circle. She is a founding member of the university’s Jean Nidetch Womens Center and made a contribution that helped establish the physical therapy program.
Rodman came to Las Vegas in the early 1950s from Virginia and established two construction companies, the Sierra Construction Corp. in 1953 and RKR Construction in 1959. The companies erected buildings for UNLV, the Clark County School District, Nellis Air Force Base and the Nevada Test Site, as well as multiple hotels and casinos. She is known for being one of the first women to break into the construction business and was inducted into UNLV’s Nevada Business Hall of Fame in 2007.
Rodman did not want a service, but the UNLV Foundation will continue a scholarship in her name.
Contact reporter Wesley Juhl at wjuhl@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Follow him on Twitter @WesJuhl.
