The Batiza family is devastated to announce the tragic passing of Rodey Batiza, geological engineer at Baird and Associates in Fitchburg. Born in St. Louis on December 16, 1980, to parents Rodey and Ann Finney Batiza, Rodey moved with his mother and brother Eric to Madison at the age of eight. There he attended Shorewood Elementary School and West High School. His childhood was marked by a variety of interests: initially he explored the woods around Eagle Heights with his friend Ethan Martin and later started the Hamilton Free Press at the eponymous middle school with precocious friends Ben Wikler, Peter Koechley, Aaron Konkol, and Andy Yaco-Mink. While the paper was beloved by students for its candor and humor, it was the bane of teachers but nonetheless, perhaps perspicaciously encouraged by the administration. In high school Rodey’s interests turned to bicycle racing, skiing, and jazz band, while he served as a coxswain for West High’s crew team.

The first time Rodey entered UW Madison he studied geology but left to follow yet another passion – cooking! He attended the Madison Area Technical College culinary arts program after honing his skills in kitchens around Madison, eventually working at Lombardino’s, Griglia Tuscany, Biaggi’s, Madison Club, Johnny Delmonico’s, Magnus, Ocean Grill, and Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar. On the cover of Madison Magazine’s October 2011 issue, he was featured as one of the city’s three “Best New Chefs.”

Despite being an executive chef, Rodey left the culinary world to return to UW Madison. In 2017, he earned his B.S. degree in geological engineering, with an emphasis on coastal engineering. Upon graduation, Rodey joined the Fitchburg office of Baird & Associates as a Coastal/Marine Engineer where he helped to oversee major coastline stabilization projects in northern Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, and Guam. Meanwhile, in 2022, he earned his Professional Engineering license on his first attempt at this rigorous test.

Rodey was creative, passionate, kind, and determined in all pursuits. He was an avid snow skier, a fanatical Phish fan (having attended over 17 live concerts), appreciative amateur musician, proud of completing the 2024 Madison marathon and constant runner, regular participant in the November Project, a loving son, brother, and uncle, and with his second wife, Anna, a devoted foster parent to numerous kittens.

Rodey is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, John and Virginia Finney, paternal grandparents, Rodolfo and Jean Batiza, his aunt Jean Margaret Finney, and uncle Eric Batiza. In addition to his parents, Rodey is survived by his older brother Eric Batiza (Molly McGrail Batiza), younger brother Travis Batiza (Alyssa Curlee Batiza), stepmother Jill Karsten, nephews Logan, Kyle, and Theo Batiza, former wives Monica Groves Batiza and Anna Wang, and numerous extended family and friends who loved him dearly. The family is especially grateful to Kate Washabaugh who with her children loved him.

A public visitation will be held at Cress Funeral & Cremation Services (6021 University Ave., Madison, WI) from 10-11:00 a.m. on Saturday October 17, followed by a short funeral service at Cress. The cortege will leave for a commitment ceremony at Forest Hill Cemetery at 11:30. Afterwards, friends are invited to join the family for a light lunch and conversation back at Cress.