James Roden

James “Jim” Anthony Roden , 80, passed away on January, 7, 2017 at his home in Stamford, CT. He was born on June 5, 1936 in Manhattan, son of Thomas A. and Theresa E. Roden.
He attended St. Anne’s Academy in New York.
Prior to college, he enlisted in the U.S. Airforce, Mr. Roden served in the United States Air Force from 1956 – 1960 as a radio engineer on a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress post the Korean War, monitoring Asia and Southeast Asia / Indochina. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
After the Air Force, he graduated from Westchester Community College with an associate degree in Applied Science in Electrical Engineering. After receiving his associates, he continued his education at the University of Bridgeport earning a Bachelor of Arts where he also received a Master of Science in Psychology and Industrial Psychology.
He began his career at Bell Telephone Laboratories, a division of AT&T, in Murray Hill, NJ. In a venture with a team that worked developing transistors for the Telstar satellite, the first U.S. commercial satellite, which communicated from orbit telephone calls, facsimile images and television pictures, including the first transatlantic TV feed. This started a series of varying Telstar labelled satellites in subsequent years under the program.
Mr. Roden was later employed at Dunlop Associates, a think tank in Darien, CT. He worked on projects that included advanced night vision goggles for widespread use during the Vietnam War and performed cold water endurance tests to determine the sustainability of dexterity in abnormal water temperatures.
After working at RCA Industries in New York City, Mr. Roden moved to GTE (now Verizon Communications Inc.) in Stamford, CT. He served as Vice President of Marketing Research, engaged in various communications and entertainment products. He developed and improved products such as portable phones, television remote controls and the first electronic video games for Intellivision. His last well-known project was the development of the flip-phone.
Besides his former wife, Marcia M. Roden, he is survived by his daughter, Mary R. Finch, and sons, William J. Roden and Robert F. Roden as well as four grandchildren.
Jim enjoyed the water and Long Island Sound as an active sailor through his membership at Roton Point Club in Rowayton, CT. For many years, he was part of the Rowayton Power Squadron where he enjoyed teaching seamanship and navigation. Jim was also involved with Knights of Columbus, in Stamford, CT, along with the Department of Veteran Affairs, American Legion and The Elks Club.
Family and friends may call at the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT Friday, January 20, 2017 from 4:00-7:00 PM with a prayer service to be held at 6:00 PM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the Roden family requests that donations be made in Jim’s memory to Knights of Columbus, 507 Shippan Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902.
To leave online condolences, please visit www.cognetta.com