In Memory of Rod Schroeder

Co-organized

Andrew Heaston and 2 others are organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

In Memory of Rod Schroeder and for the Love of Straddle Creek Ranch

To know Rod and Cindi Schroeder is to know their generosity. For 35 years, Rod and Cindi have been a team, bringing to life their dreams and following their passions every day. Since moving to Reedsport Oregon in 2016, the Schroeders have worked to create a strong sense of home and community. After Rod’s unexpected passing on July 16th, 2021, the family is looking to that wider community to help in the hopes that we can buy some time for Cindi to make decisions about the future of the ranch and the living dream she and Rod created there.

The Ranch

Straddle Creek Ranch is tucked around the north fork of the Smith river. It is home to horses, cows, chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, goats, cats, dogs, and a rotating cast of other animal characters. It has cultivated a bounty of vegetables, eggs, meat, and delicious blackberry and apple wines--all finding its way into the bellies of friends and neighbors. And most importantly, Straddle Creek Ranch has nurtured the Schroeder family—most recently its newest member, 3 month old granddaughter Kestrel.

The Man

Central to all of this was Rod Schroeder: animal whisperer, logger, carpenter, ranch chef, fixer of all manner of broken things, and soulmate to Cindi. Since he arrived at the ranch, Rod pivoted his lifestyle to reflect the land he lived and worked on. Coming from a life of ranching in central California and in search of water, he weathered 108 inches of rain in his first winter while Cindi finished out her last year of teaching before retirement. He adapted quickly, spending much of that time shaping and reclaiming the pasture from blackberries, adding to his wood stores for the coming year, learning to read the weather, getting to know the neighbors, and getting the house ready for Cindi’s arrival. They have always been dreamers and doers, capable of bringing their ideas to life in ways others cannot imagine, and when she arrived in 2017 Rod made sure the ranch was ready for them to make their dreams a reality. Together Rod and Cindi cultivated a place of bountiful harvest and a loving, supportive community at Straddle Creek Ranch.

The Team

As a team, Rod and Cindi found happiness and fulfillment through means that others might not imagine for their retirement, looking to homegrown food and a hard day’s work as metrics for success. They added corrals and fences, built animal feeders, felled trees and split logs, ripped out many blackberries, and built and tended Cindi’s amazing garden which now fuels the donation-run farmstand on their property. They were even in the middle of adding a workshop for Rod to have a dry space to work on his projects. In five short years, they have transformed the ranch into a functional and beautiful place to live, and somewhere they take great pride in. Though every day had a task, many of them physically exhausting, Rod would tell you that he believed he lived in paradise and they were enjoying the best years of their lives at Straddle Creek Ranch.

Moving Forward

Rod and Cindi’s project list was never-ending, and having a life sustained from the gifts of the land often meant more money left their bank account than arrived in it. Rod’s sudden passing has brought immense grief, but also a reduced income, increased expenses, and an uncertain future for Cindi and the ranch. This wonderful dream belonged to both Rod and Cindi, and we would like to help provide Cindi with the support she needs to keep their dream alive.

The Goal

Our goal is to help raise funds for Cindi, to be used towards the following needs:

Paying outstanding bills from last year’s repair projects. ($10,000)
Stocking the barn with enough feed and supplies to care for the animals through the next year ($3,000)
Finance the completion of in-progress or urgent projects from Rod’s death- fixing a truck, maintenance to farm equipment, and rehoming some of the livestock. ($2,000)
Help provide Cindi with a buffer to support her on her fixed monthly income ($200 per month)

Thank you to all who have already given your time, energy, and money during this time. To Mike and Rachel, who gave hay for many months of sustaining the animals. To Ky, Frank & Tammy, and Dawn who have already contributed financially. To Ky, Frank & Tammy, Jen, and all who traveled to be with Cindi. To everyone who has sent a card, email, or call. Thank you.