Rodman, Irma We are pained and full of sorrow to report the death of Irma Maria Bendel Rodman, age 72, residing in Dallas, Texas who died on Thursday, December 2, 2010 from pancreatic cancer. Irma was born on June 7, 1938 in Grafenroda, Germany. She was one of five children born to the late Berta and Rudolf Bendel. Irma later lived in England and Canada before returning to Germany where she met her husband Martin Rodman, from The Bronx, New York. They were wedded in 1972 in Munich, Germany and raised their family in Dallas, Texas. Always hungry for education, Irma attended Richland Community College while raising 2 children and initially studied to become a special education teacher. She subsequently became fascinated with science and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from UT Dallas and upon graduation worked at UT Southwestern Medical Center performing research in Pharmacology. Irma was the devoted mother to the late Christina MacKenzie and predeceased by her sister Elisabeth Szillat. Irma is survived by her devoted husband of 38 years, Martin Rodman, son, Alexander MacKenzie, daughter, Sarah Rodman Scott, son-in-law Daniel Scott, sisters Edith Kunzel and Helga Fotas, brother Peter Bendel, and granddaughters Alexis and Caroline Scott. She was devoted to inculcating her children in the world of two cultures, science and humanities; her son, Alexander, is an executive in retailing and her daughter, Sarah, is a physician. Irma especially enjoyed spending time with her family, being in nature, and in recent years, playing with her grandchildren. Irma touched the lives of many people with her nurturing and compassionate spirit, as well as her zest for life. She was a wonderful mother - her children consider her the best mother in the world. She will be sorely missed. Donations may be made to Special Olympics.