In Loving Memory of David Stephen Rodriguez
By Robert C. Solera, Assistant Administrator Building Department and Code Enforcement and Licensing Department Director

One of our closest friends and co-workers, William “Bill” Whiteman, Chief Building Inspector, on March 21, 2006 suffered the loss of someone very close to him. It is difficult when you lose someone, but even more difficult when you lose a grandson.

This article is not only to acknowledge the sorrow that a fellow friend and an employee is feeling at this time but more to celebrate the life of a great person who left a mark on an incredible amount of people. I personally did not know David Steven Rodriguez, but everyone in this office suffered with our friend Bill Whiteman, through all the positive and negative news related to his battle with a deadly disease.

David Stephen Rodriguez was born on November 21, 1979. After attending Dade Christian and Florida Bible School, he graduated from Pace High School in 1999. While serving as assistant to the Athletics Director, summer camp counselor and varsity football special teams coach at Dade Christian, he completed studies and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from FAU. Just prior to the beginning of his illness, he won his first professional kick boxing match. He was also a successful model with one of the well known model agencies. You may have seen his posters in magazines or in the malls and probably the most popular one at JCPenny.

He battled lymphoblastic cancer for one year at Baptist Hospital. As the eulogy describes, David’s goal was to reach relatives, friends with the word and teachings from the Gospel. He was an inspiration to many, among them those elementary school students whom he mentored at Dade Christian School.

I was present at his viewing among, literally, hundreds of people paying respect to him and his family. One of the things that struck me the most was the outpour of support for the family from friends and relatives, but most of all the celebration of life, present and future. I say future because the amount of faith that this family has and spreads is synonymous with the type of person that David was.

David Stephen Rodriguez said from his heart the following: “everyone thinks about the meaning of life. Could the answer to that question be that the meaning of life is mainly about the quality of relationships made with people from all walks of life and all different ages? Joy increases as you give it. Treat people the way you want to be treated so that you can be part of their life and they can be a part of yours.”

David is survived by his father Ralph Rodriguez, retired lieutenant of the Miami Springs Police Department, his mother Rita Whiteman Rodriguez, his brother Derek Rodriguez, a paramedic fireman for the City of Miami, and his maternal grandparents William and Amalia Whiteman.

I hope that this humble article serves to honor a life that was among us, and also to provide comfort to those of us that suffer with this loss, by knowing that David Stephen Rodriguez is serving a bigger purpose today.

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