Rodney David Waters

On January 7, 1980, Rodney David Waters was born to Larry Waters and Felecia Scott in Harlem, New York.

Rodney was raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and attended public schools in New Haven and Hamden. After graduating from Hillhouse High School, Rodney attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, MA, where he earned his B.S. degree in Engineering. Rodney played varsity football at WPI while simultaneously volunteering as a mentor for high school kids. Rodney was a brother of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated’s Delta lota Sigma Chapter, as well as an active member of The National Society of Black Engineers, where he served as Vice President from 1999 to 2000.

In the spring of 1999, Rodney pledged the wondrous band of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., the “Heavenly” Zeta Lambda Chapter by the way of Delta Pi Sigma Chapter. Rodney, better known as “Scooby,” was the deuce and his line brother, Jason Govan better known as “Scrappy” was the ace. They pledged for 9 weeks and earned the line name “Still Running” by their Dean Oluwafemi “Femi” Badeji. They may have been the first to pledge Sigma at Worcester Polytech Institute and broke new ground on the campus. Scooby was a Brother’s Brother – intelligent, outspoken, determined and deeply respected. His respect for his old heads and his grand ideas for positive change set him apart. He was a charismatic stepper and upheld the fraternity’s motto: Culture for Service and Service for Humanity. With a genuine heart, he always gave what he could, even when he had little. Renowned within Sigma, Scooby had a commanding presence and touched the lives of many Brothers globally. When he walked into a room, you would know he was there. His infectious smile and candid spirit would make you pay attention. He was a standup Brother who remained unwaveringly true to the fraternity’s principles, with BROTHERHOOD at the core of everything he did.

Rodney was also known as “Muddy Waters” by many friends and family.  He was an avid sports enthusiast. His special love was baseball, basketball, and football. One of his favorite passions was working on and repairing cars.

Rodney’s sense of humor and intelligence were always on display. He never encountered a subject on which he did not have an opinion; he was always eager to express his views. Then he’d add, “It’s all love.” That was Rodney, and that is his legacy, which will live on in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to meet him.

Despite the difficulties he faced in this life. He remained a compassionate, kind, and loving son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. The love for his Mother and Father words cannot express, and the same is said for how deeply his Parents loved him.  Rodney was his parents’ entire world, and he knew he could always depend on them. They feel honored to be his mother and father.

Rodney was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Jeannette Trotman and Ann Waters, his grandfather, John Waters Sr., uncles Dickie and Barney, and aunts Mamie and Cookie. Rodney is survived by his father Larry Waters, his mother Felecia Scott, his stepbrother Robert Kimbel, nephew King, spiritual brothers Elionex (X) and Rich, and a host of family members, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

A service celebrating Rodney David Water’s precious life will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024, at Colonial Funeral Home, 86 Circular Avenue, Hamden CT. Viewing at 10:00 am Services at 11:00. Burial will follow at Hamden Plains Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at colonialfunerals.com.