ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created to share our collective memories of Francé Rodé, to share how he touched our lives, and learn more about who he was and how his spirit lives on.

France Rode Documentary

Please enjoy this beautiful 16-minute documentary highlighting Francé's professional life and contributions: watch it here


Please add your own reflections and memories to these pages . . .

     -- Share a short note to Francé or condolences by clicking "Leave a Tribute" below.
    
-- Add photos or recordings to the Gallery pages

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January 31, 2020
January 31, 2020
I did not know that France had left us. He and I started at HP the same day; he was the gentle designer who helped me often.  He gets credit for the HP35 work, appropriately, but his chief contribution was the HP80, the first business calculator handheld (and no computer company ever had the foresight to build one, astonishingly).  It was the precursor of the world's most popular handheld ever, the HP12C. Rest in peace, France
November 24, 2018
November 24, 2018
Thinking about you France on your birthday, the 20th of November, missing your phone call to get together ;(
July 25, 2017
July 25, 2017
We will always remember France's kindness and friendliness.
You are with us in our hearts and memories.
Masa & Hanyan
July 20, 2017
July 20, 2017
I never got to meet him in person, but the Light and kindness that come through Maja are truly beautiful and I pay respects to his part in that. Blessings on the family and community touched by this great man's passing.
July 18, 2017
July 18, 2017
The passing of France left an enormous void in the Slovenian community and in my heart. He was a man of all seasons, a giant in many fields. In addition to his many important scientific inventions, he also excelled in paintings, sculptures, skiing and tennis. He was a devoted family man and was also devoted to the Slovenian community, to the church and to his native Slovenia. He had a charmng personality and was a frequent generous host. In spite of his incredible talents and many honors for his important achievements, he remained a very humble man. He was the first to help clear the chairs and tables at tne events at the Slovenian Hall. He was also the regular parking attendant at the annual Slovenian Statehood Day celebrations at Tom Brandi's in Healdsburg.
He will be missed terribly at the Slovenian functions, at the ASEF Galas, where he was on the Board of Directors, at the "Slovenian" church and at the annual Slovenian Statehood Day celebrations. His passing is a great loss for the Slovenian community and for his native Slovenia.
I will miss him very much.
Nase iskreno sozalje!

Tony Ravnik and Family
July 11, 2017
July 11, 2017
Thank you for being supportive and encouraging . We will miss you dearly France and your memories will live on. Our heartfelt condolences to the family.
July 10, 2017
July 10, 2017
It is hard to put into words my affection for France Rode. France was a father figure to me and a much admired and respected member of the Slovenian community of San Francisco. He was a pillar of strength and our families have known each other for a long time. My father, Dr. Anthony Ravnik, was especially close to France; they shared similar immigrant stories of struggle, family values, work ethic, and success in making a new life in the United States. Our entire family continues to feel a sense of devastation at France's passing. I have strong and fond memories of seeing France and Mia together at the Slovenian Church or at the Slovenian Hall for special events. It was a delight to see big, smiling France next to the always elegant and petite Mia. More recently, I had the honor of knowing France and Mia in a more intimate capacity, the uniqueness of which I truly cherish. I work in Silicon Valley and have an arduous commute. Mia and France graciously opened their home to me and let me stay in their little apartment so that I could rest and not make such a long drive every week. Staying in the serene setting of Los Altos was unforgettably restorative and this gesture of kindness was typical of their generosity. An even more special part of this offer is that the apartment is where France kept his office. I was privy to see his many awards, plaques, patents for various inventions, alongside his magnificent oil paintings of Slovenia on the walls. I was so honored to stay there and admire this incredible man's work. In doing so, I witnessed the history of a giant, one who remained humble to the end despite his amazing - technologically groundbreaking - accomplishments. I so enjoyed the meals I spent at the Rode's home drinking red wine and talking. I am saddened that I was only just beginning to know France and Mia on a private level before he passed away. I was hoping to share many more meals and laughs together. I really had a good time with France anytime I saw him. He always said hello and how are you -- Dober dan!!! Kako Si? in a booming voice and gave me a giant hug or a kiss on each cheek. I felt so loved. I was moved and touched with how much care he gave to Mia both at home and also at the Slovenian Language class on Monday nights. He drove her to the class in San Francisco each Monday, helped to set up and break down the class. It was a sign of concrete love and support. Again, France was a father figure to me and also an example of someone who followed his dream, persevered despite huge obstacles and worked hard to invent something incredible out of nothing. He was the epitome of innovation and creativity. My jaw dropped when he mentioned casually that he had developed GPS and the idea of the 'suitcase computer' - essentially the first laptop - in the early 1970's! I use RFID technology in my work everyday, and here I was sitting at dinner with the man who invented it!! I loved France and I continue to LOVE Mia, Maja and Ana in the same special way. France inspires me to continue to follow my passions, my dreams and to work hard to make them tangible, even in the face of great opposition. He would be proud of my current endeavors and I am so much the stronger knowing that I have a great, giant, protective Slovenian angel looking over me as I embark on the road ahead. Pocivaj v miru, France. Poljubcke, Natasha
July 9, 2017
July 9, 2017
We will miss you France! Rest in peace our friend.
Love, Zvone and Flora
July 9, 2017
July 9, 2017
It's hard to forget someone who gave us so much to remember.
Nives and Vili Skornik
July 8, 2017
July 8, 2017
Dear Friends, please click the "Leave a Tribute" button to write a note, lay a flower, or light a candle. We would love to know that you have visited us here, and are remembering our father with us. Love, Maja

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Recent Tributes
January 31, 2020
January 31, 2020
I did not know that France had left us. He and I started at HP the same day; he was the gentle designer who helped me often.  He gets credit for the HP35 work, appropriately, but his chief contribution was the HP80, the first business calculator handheld (and no computer company ever had the foresight to build one, astonishingly).  It was the precursor of the world's most popular handheld ever, the HP12C. Rest in peace, France
November 24, 2018
November 24, 2018
Thinking about you France on your birthday, the 20th of November, missing your phone call to get together ;(
Recent stories

He took a chance on a young kid, my memories of Dr. France' Rode'

June 7, 2018

Exactly one-year ago today, the world lost a great and very kind man. That man was Dr. France’ Rode’. A man I was blessed to have worked for. He hired a green horn electronics technician and taught him how to be a great R&D electronics technician and that was 36 years ago.  France’ loved his family and you could see it in his interactions with his wife and his daughters. I remember a picture Maja made in High School, it was either charcoal or pencil of a wolf with a mountain range in the background he had brought into Sielox and had in his office. I offered to buy it, but he said no, that he was getting it framed and was going to hang it in his office at home. He told me anything his daughters chose to do they did really well. I could see the pride in his eyes when he spoke of them. France and I had many a heated discussions over my tenure at Sielox. I remember the day he quit smoking cold turkey, I was quite proud of him and even more proud when he admitted there were a few times he REALLY wanted a smoke, but he stayed the course. It showed me a man of character and ethics. After he quit smoking, one of his contract employees told me of a time he set his office on fire at HP. France’ would flick his lit match in the trash, thinking it would self extinguish, well that did not always work. I asked him about it, he at first denied it, but then owned up to it and his description of what happened, was almost comical, as France’ could be that way sometimes. I did not lose any respect for him over that, made him that much more human. Another time he came into work on Monday morning all bandaged up-head, neck, shoulders, and arms. Being the smart ass I was when I was younger, I said, “ Let me guess, Mia got mad at you.” I can hear him still yelling,” NO, I was leaning on the patio table talking on the phone and lost my balance, and fell through it.” I really rattled his cage with that. I liked France and I did like teasing him, but never lost respect for him. I remember one time we were altering the backplane on a computer we were using to control the Sielox System 10. Well I left the back off after reassembly and was running software diagnostics on it overnight. Well, France’ the night owl he was, was working late and decided to install the latest software on it. Well he reached behind it to hit the reset button, instead he put his finger on the high voltage-switching transistor of the switching power supply. The next morning, I caught hell. “Michael, button up that computer, I damn near electrocuted myself last night.” “ Jesus Christ, I still don’t have any feeling in my finger.” You would have to have been there to see his articulation; he could have been an great actor. France’ had the flare for the theatrics. I remember him talking to me about his great love Mia, they grew up together, and she went to the US ahead of him. She sent him a letter and it had a picture in it of her holding a baby. He said his heart sank and a few days later he was on a ship to the US. He was afraid that she married and that was her baby. Turned out the baby was the people’s she was staying with. France’ was scared he had lost his true love forever. He told me those few days were hell for him. France’ gave me a Christmas present in 1985, it was a bottle of Crown Royal Scotch, vintage 1974, I kept that bottle sealed until 2005. The greatest gift France’ gave to me was he taught me the ability to read the face of an oscilloscope and how to discern the difference between noise and the signal you are expecting to see. It took me quite a few years to develop the skill, but I use all the time now. I know I tried his patience to no end sometimes, and I am certain if you could ask him he would admit it. There are many more stories and memories I have of working with this great man. When God called France’, Heaven became a much greater place.

Michael M. Malcewicz

From the Top 10 Archive

August 6, 2017

France was featured in the top 10 facts about Slovenia in this video from Top10Archive.

"Located just west of Croatia, south of Austria and sandwiched between Hungary and Italy lies the natural beauty of Slovenia. For this installment, we’re back on the road, making a stop at this European wonder! So get ready for the carnival, prepare the potica, and enjoy these top 10 facts about the land we know as Slovenia."

[Watch Video]

Slovene Inventor [RTVSLO News Article]

July 8, 2017

In the early days of computer technology, Francé came to Hewlett-Packard already as an established inventor and engineer. He participated in the company’s important development achievements and through his work contributed to the rise of Silicon Valley. He developed the renowned HP-35 pocket calculator and is the holder of . . . [read more]

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