Rodman Media Loses its Founding Father

Rodman J. Zilenziger, founder of Rodman Publishing Corporation (now Rodman Media Corporation), died Feb. 2. He was 85. In 1964, while serving as vice president of sales for Dorland Publishing, Mr. Zilenziger co-launched Detergent Age, which would ultimately be renamed Household And Personal Products Industry (HAPPI), the leading business-to-business trade magazine in the global household and personal care space. He followed up that success with the 1970 launch of Nonwovens Industry, the top magazine in the global nonwovens industry. He created Rodman Publishing Corp. in 1978 and went on to launch other business-to-business titles over the yearsbefore retiring in 1993.

Born Oct. 10, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pa., his family settled in Bala Cynwyd, Pa.Mr. Zilenziger was a graduate of Pennsylvania Military College, and he served as a first lieutenant in the Korean War in the 2nd Infantry Regiment and received the Bronze Star.

Mr. Zilenziger married Roxane Shugart Zilenziger, who died in 2010. They were married for 53 years and were long-time residents of Scarsdale, N.Y., and Vero Beach, Fla.The couple held memberships in the Fox Meadow Tennis Club of Scarsdale, N.Y., the Shenorock Shore Club of Rye, N.Y., as well as The Moorings Club of Vero Beach, Fla., where they enjoyed playing tennis, platform tennis, and golf.Mr. Zilenziger also was a member of the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church in Scarsdale, N.Y., and was a volunteer firefighter in Scarsdale for many years.

Mr. Zilenziger is survived by his three children; Gaye Geiger (Scott), of New Canaan, Conn., Susan Maier (Rich) of Ho-Ho-Kus, N.J., and Rodman Zilenziger Jr. (Jennifer) also of Ho-Ho-Kus, and 11 grandchildren: Daniel, Sarah, Caitlin, Taylor,Rodman, Lindsay, Kevin, James, Claire, Katherine and Anna.