In Memoriam
Dr. Roderick J. Bartell
10/21/1947 – 09/17/2025
It is with heavy hearts that the team at Bartell shares the passing of our founder, Dr. Roderick “Rod” Bartell.
Rod was a true pioneer in employee assessment profiling, organizational diagnostics, and a founder in the field of Orgopathy. Over more than 50 years, he worked with over 2,000 organizations—ranging from police departments to Fortune 100 companies—and helped thousands more leaders unleash their potential, align teams, and build healthy organizations.
Always entrepreneurial at heart, Rod founded Bartell & Bartell, Ltd. in 1981 and served as its Executive Director for four decades. His innovations, including diagnostic tools such as ASAP™, AMP™, Radiant Leadership™ 360, and transformative development programs such as Know Thy Self™, Know Thy Team™, and Leadership Flight School™, continue to shape leaders and organizations today.
Rod’s influence reached far beyond his professional accomplishments. He was an executive coach, mentor, and thought leader who took joy in the success of others. He authored Before the Call: The Communication Playbook and established the Institute for Organizational Science to advance his vision of Orgopathy and organizational medicine. He held degrees from Penn State University and a Doctor of Education in Organizational Behavior and Development from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and was one of only 99 Registered Organizational Development Consultants (RODC) worldwide.
To those who knew him personally, Rod was much more than a consultant and innovator. He was a husband, father, and grandfather who cherished time with his family. He enjoyed playing the trombone, spending time at his cabin, and sharing his life with many loyal canine companions. He loved connecting with people from all walks of life, and could ask 100 questions of anyone he met. Known for his genuine curiosity and ability to quickly see “the big picture”, Rod left a mark on everyone he encountered. His wit, humor, and passion were constants in both his work and his life.
Rod’s legacy is not only in the tools he created but in the thousands of leaders, teams, and organizations shaped by his work. Whether partnering with local government, a university, or a global corporation, he relished the distinct challenges and dynamics each brought. At the heart of his approach was a belief that every organization—and every person—carries within them untapped potential.
Rod retired from full-time work in 2020, entrusting the firm’s future to the next generation of leaders. Today, Bartell continues to grow under the leadership of Executive Director R. Shawn Ishler and President Nathan Bartell, along with the dedicated team Rod helped build and mentor. Rod instilled in us not only tools and methods, but a way of thinking about people and organizations. That way of thinking continues to guide every client engagement. The firm remains steadfast in carrying forward his vision—advancing leadership, strengthening culture, and maximizing the people side of business with the same commitment and innovation Rod modeled.
Rod will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and clients who were fortunate to know him. His vision, wisdom, and spirit remain at the heart of all we do.