Meet Rod Leith

Rod Leith, a long-time Rutherford resident, has been interested in contributing to the research and exposure of Rutherford history for the last several decades.

Rod was Rutherford’s Borough Historian for 20 years and a founding member of the Rutherford Historic Preservation Committee (1998 – 2022) as well as an active volunteer and trustee for the Meadowlands Museum. He currently serves as a historical consultant to many organizations in the Rutherford area. Rod’s historical property and historical profile research have supported numerous important community programs and events over the last three decades.

An award-winning history columnist since 2009, Rod has written extensively on Rutherford and South Bergen County History. Many will remember Rod’s standing column, “History Chest”, for the South Bergenite’s weekly newspaper which included articles such as “History Chest: Rutherford's churches come from various beginnings” and “History Chest: Origin of stone sidewalks in Rutherford”, and “Rutherford's Iviswold Castle's woodwork tied to Ithaca” just to name a few. Rod’s research and writing have included historically important subjects and people ranging from pre-American Revolutionary people to the Civil War era, including important authors and other historical subjects.

One of Rod's most prized and heart-warming accomplishments was the story he wrote about Paul Rooney, a highly honored Vietnam veteran who died of an overdose of hard, addictive drugs. The Rooney story, published by the Morristown Daily Record, was placed in the October 1974 Congressional Record by New Jersey's two United States Senators: Clifford Case and Harrison Williams.

In 2016, Rod was the worthy recipient of the “Bergen County Historic Preservation Leadership Award” for his "History Chest" columns and overall impact on preservation. Rod’s passion to educate the Rutherford Community about Rutherford’s history and the topic of preservation led him to develop college-level educational programs such as “The History of Rutherford: Early History, discussing the Dutch and European settlement both before and following the 1881 incorporation of the Borough of Rutherford” as well as a 90-minute historical bus tour of Rutherford visiting historic homes and historic sites in the area that surround the world renowned poet, William Carlos Williams.

Rod has also been instrumental in facilitating numerous formal dedications for Rutherford’s historically significant individuals such as Lafayette and Harriet Hoage, and Willard and Marjorie Reenstra. It was during this dedication to the Reenstras that Rod also encouraged the community to mark and celebrate the 150th anniversary of Nereid Boat Club, one of the oldest rowing clubs in New Jersey.

In addition to Rod’s background as a historian, Rod has had experience as an Investigative reporter, Private investigator, Intelligence analyst, Intelligence officer and Intelligence manager. He served as Chief Intelligence Officer for New York City’s post 9/11 remediation and recovery of a large swath of Downtown Manhattan in which Rod proved to have invaluable sources of information in Law Enforcement, Government Agencies, and the Media.

Lastly, Rod is the author of “The Prostitute Murders: The People vs. Richard Cottingham”, a true-crime book which examines the case of serial killer Richard Cottingham, also known as the "Torso Killer," who was active in the New York City and New Jersey area.

Rod’s dedication and work in historic preservation and education are making an indelible historic preservation footprint that will impact generations to come.

Article By: Elisa Rosa