Edward William Rhode III

Edward (Ed) W. Rhode III, affectionately known to the Sandusky community as "E3", 72, of Sandusky, passed away unexpectedly of a cardiac emergency on July 3, 2023, at Firelands Regional Medical Center, Main Campus, Sandusky. Ed was born on December 28, 1950 in Sandusky, OH, the son of Edward W. Rhode (Jr.) and Reba (Smith) Rostel.

Ed was a 1969 graduate of Perkins High School and a veteran of the United States Army certified by the United States Army Medical Field Service School as an EENT Specialist. He was also a graduate of The Ohio State University and Capital University Law School where he completed a semester of study in London, England. Ed was particularly proud of completing law school while being a single Father and raising his eldest daughter while doing so.  After attaining his law degree, Ed began practicing law with his Father, and went on to open his own practice, Rhode Law Offices in Sandusky. As an extremely successful trial lawyer in both personal injury and criminal law, several years ago when asked about retirement, he stated, "Why quit now at the pinnacle of success? I therefore, find myself rededicated and refocused towards helping people and do not intend to give up the good fight." He served the people of Erie and the surrounding counties for 43 years with the help of his long time paralegal and friend, Tammy Rice, who was employed by him for 34 years. Ed was respected and admired by so many, and his loss will be very evident in many people’s lives.

Ed was a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, Erie County Bar Association, Rolls Royce Owners Club, Sandusky Yacht Club, Sandusky Ski Club, and his beloved, Rattlesnake Island Club.  Ed loved history and was an antique aficionado. He was also an avid boater, and loved musical theater and auto racing, especially sprint car racing.

He is survived by his daughters, Christine E. Rhode-Parsons and Elizabeth E. "Liz" (W Jeffrey) Rhode Barrett of Sandusky; his grandchildren, Garrette Parsons, Ethan and Alexandra Barrett, and he has another Barrett grandchild on the way; also survived by five siblings.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Rhode, and his parents.

Visitation will be held on Friday, July 14, 2023, from 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM at the David F. Koch Funeral & Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, and on Saturday morning, July 15, 2023, from 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral services at 11:00 AM at The Chapel, 4444 Galloway Road, Sandusky.  Pastor Joe Binkley officiating.  Entombment will be in Oakland Cemetery Mausoleum, Sandusky.  Military Honors will be conducted by American Legion Post #83 and the VFW Post #2529.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, at https://raise.stjude.org/edrhode or to Shriners Hospital for Children, One Children’s Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404 (donate.lovetotherescue.org)

Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Ed's family at https://www.davidfkoch.com/obituary/Edward-RhodeIII.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward William Rhode III, please visit our floral store.