Rodney Minkin

Rodney T. (Rod) Minkin passed away surrounded by his family on January 16, 2026, at Menorah Medical Center, where he was born and later served as Chairman of the Board. Rod was a pillar of the community and a loving father and grandfather. His kindness knew no bounds. His warmth and generosity leave a lasting impact on all who knew him. Rod had a unique gift for making each person he met feel special and valued.

Rod was born in 1935 at Menorah Medical Center, the only child of Carl and Sylvia Minkin. In 1940, his family moved to Wichita, Kansas. His father died in 1952, when Rod was only sixteen years old. He cherished his years in Wichita and was very active in several high school activities. Rod also enjoyed his many years in the Boy Scouts and was a very proud Eagle Scout.

After graduating from high school in 1953, Rod moved to New York City, where he attended New York University. He returned to Wichita in 1955 and graduated from Wichita State University. He then relocated to Kansas City in 1957, where he spent his remaining years.

Throughout his life, Rod was a proud Navy veteran. He enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve at age seventeen and served eight years. Later in life, he joined MO-KAN Post 605 of the Jewish War Veterans.

Rod met the love of his life, Gerre Lipoff, in 1956. They quickly fell deeply in love and spent sixty-six wonderful years together. They raised their three daughters, Carole, Lisa, and Debbie, in a loving home with their dog, Ginger.

In 1960, Rod joined the field of public accounting and subsequently became a CPA and partner at Deloitte & Touche LLP. After thirteen years in the industry, Rod decided to make a career change and left public accounting. He began his career in commercial real estate with Roger L. Cohen & Co., eventually leaving the firm to fulfill his dream of owning his own company, founding Minkin Real Estate Company in 1978.

Rod was deeply involved in the leadership of several organizations, spanning all aspects of his life, both personal and professional. He was President of the Jewish Heritage Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Menorah Medical Center, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Village Shalom.

Rod served in leadership positions as a member of the boards of directors of numerous organizations, including Congregation Beth Shalom; Health Midwest; Jewish Community Archives of Greater Kansas City; Jewish Community Center of Greater Kansas City; Jewish Community Relations Bureau – American Jewish Committee; Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City; Menorah Medical Center Foundation; Overland Park Regional Medical Center; and Vaad Hakashrut of Greater Kansas City.

He loved attending lunch every Friday with his fellow members of the ROMEOs (Retired Old Men’s Eating Organization).

Rod is survived by his loving wife of sixty-six years, Gerre; their daughters and their families, Carole (Jeff z”l) Rosen, Lisa (Steve) Ruben, and Debbie Minkin; and seven grandchildren, Daniel (Deanna) Rosen and Samuel Rosen, Jonathan Ruben, Ashley Ruben and Julia Ruben, and Katie Goldstein and Jessie Goldstein. He is also survived by his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Judy and Andy Hilvitz, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Rod lived a meaningful and full life, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Beth Shalom or Village Shalom Senior Living.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, January 18, 2026 at The Louis Memorial Chapel, 6830 Troost Ave, Kansas City, MO 64131. Burial to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. To join by zoom, please use the link below.