Theodore Charles Rodden

Theodore Charles Rodden (1953–2014) delighted friends and audiences with his steady musical presence, gentle spirit, and love of the natural world. Known to many as Theo or Ted, he spent much of his life devoted to music — both onstage as a multi-instrumentalist and behind the scenes as a sound technician and production manager. For 16 years he was a familiar and trusted presence at Rancho Nicasio, where his care for musicians and meticulous attention to sound made performances better for everyone involved.

Theo was largely self-taught and played guitar, mandolin, bass, violin and harmonica. Together with his wife Kaye he performed as the folk duo Sweet Leaf, sharing original songs and quiet harmonies with friends and neighbors. Outside of music he cherished gardening, birding, and hiking in the hills of Marin — pursuits that reflected his patience, curiosity, and steady appreciation for simple beauty.

Born August 18, 1953, Theo lived on the East Coast during his twenties before settling in Mill Valley, where he and Kaye built a life together for 25 years. He was the eldest of five children and remained close to family throughout his life. He is survived by his wife, Kaye; children Jessica Anderson and James; grandchildren Benjamin and Kai; his parents Raymond and Helen; sisters Karen Baker and Pam Acuna; and brothers Ray and Stephen.

Friends remember Theo for his kindness, musical generosity, and the gentle warmth he brought into every room. A memorial service was held in September 2014 in Mill Valley where colleagues, neighbors and family celebrated a life shaped by music, care for others, and an abiding love of place. Those who admired him have been encouraged to make donations in his memory to the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Marin or to support the family’s memorial fund.

Theo’s passing left a quiet but lasting imprint on Marin’s music community — not for notoriety, but for the everyday ways he made music and friendship possible. He is remembered with affection and gratitude by those who played with him, worked beside him, and loved him at home.