Jon A Bodwell

Jon "Bim" Anthony Bodwell of Rochester, New Hampshire and Sabastian Fl passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Bim died suddenly while on a cruise to the Bahamas with a group of friends including his beloved wife of nearly 55 years. He was 79 years old. Bim was born in Biddeford, Maine on September 12, 1942 to the late Edmund C. Bodwell and Gladys L. Bodwell of Kennebunk, Maine. Bim graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1961. The oldest of two sons, Bim worked at his family's garage starting at an early age. His work ethic and desire to serve his country led him to enlist in the US Army from 1963 to 1966. During his tenure, he served as an instructor at the Army Medical Veterinary School in Chicago, Illinois and also as an Army food inspector in Yokohama, Japan. After returning from his service in the Army, Bim married his high school sweetheart, Barbara "Penny" Anders Bodwell in 1967. The couple relocated to Rochester, New Hampshire in 1969. Bim continued his education, graduating cum laude with a degree in Life Science and Agriculture from the University of New Hampshire in 1974 where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity. Bim worked in a variety of functions across the food and beverage industry including retail, warehousing, and sales. Prior to retirement, he served for several years as a food safety inspector for the state of New Hampshire. Outside of work, Bim was a member of the Elks and the Granite State Street Rodders. He enjoyed watching NASCAR racing, was passionate about street rods and spent many hours getting lost in the pleasure of building his '40 Ford, '36 Chevy, and 33 'Chevy. Bim was a culinary master with anything on the grill, and we will miss his amazing holiday dinners. No matter the occasion, Bim always had a story to share. He could hear a joke once and remember it and deliver it seamlessly every time, lighting up the room with laughter. Bim loved to travel and camp with Penny, and of his numerous trips around the country, one of the most memorable was a month-long excursion though the national parks in Utah. Bim loved the warm climates of Florida and Arizona, so much so that he and Penny ultimately bought a retirement home in Florida where they they playing on a Bocce Ball team. Bim enjoyed spending time with his family and watching both of his granddaughters' dance performances and recitals. Bim was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Penny Anders Bodwell of Rochester, New Hampshire; daughter Lisa Herrholz and husband Mark of Portsmouth, New Hampshire and son Jason Bodwell and wife Amy of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren Abigail Herrholz and Madelyn Herrholz of Portsmouth, New Hampshire; and brother Edmund Bodwell of Kennebunk, Maine. A small private gathering of family is planned for late April 2022. People wishing to honor Bim's commitment to family and community can make donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the New Hampshire Food Bank.