Tod Wayne Roush

Tod Wayne Roush passed away at his home on January 22, 2024.  He was born on March 19, 1950, to Donald and Helen (nee McBeth) Roush.  He grew up in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

He had a lifelong love of geology as evidenced by collecting and cataloging rocks and fossils with his father from an early age, graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in geology and receiving a master’s degree in geology from the University of Texas at Arlington.  He worked for several oil companies in Texas before moving to Wausau, WI in 1992 to work as a hydrogeologist.   After retirement, Tod remained active in regional geology and groundwater groups.  He shared his knowledge of local geology by leading field trips for local groups.

Tod’s other passion was building Appalachian (Mountain) dulcimers.  He combined his outstanding woodworking skills with his love of folk music to hand craft dulcimers and other musical instruments.  His booth was an anticipated feature each year at the Shawano Folk Music Festival and the Black Hawk Folk Society Festival.

He enjoyed working out at the YMCA, camping, playing the guitar and dulcimer, and working in his woodshop.

Tod was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Wendy Ferguson.  He is survived by a niece Dawn Ferguson, an Aunt Muriel McBeth, cousins, and a special friend Phyllis Christensen.  A celebration of life will be held in the Cincinnati area at a later date.

Memorials may be made in Tod’s name to the Shawano Folk Music Festival (PO Box 213, Shawano, WI  54166) or a charity of your choice.