Rod Steve Kovacevich, 62, a native of Ironwood, Mich., died on Sept. 8, 2010 of a heart attack in his home in Hitchcock, Texas.      Rod was born in 1946, son of Catherin (Kay Kovacevich) Masenheimer and the late Robert Kovacevich of Hurley, Wis. Rod grew up in Ironwood and was confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in the class of 1964. He played varsity football and the team still boasts of not losing a game. He attended Gogebic Community College and graduated from Michigan State University in 1968 with a business major.       Rod was drafted into the U. S. Army during the Vietnam War and courageously served his country. He earned: The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon W/Device (1960).      Rod was a member of the Teamster's Union, and he worked for Allied Trucking Company hauling cars throughout the country. He retired near Galveston, Texas, where he enjoyed the warm Texas sun and the ocean.      He is survived by his mother, Kay Masenheimer, recent resident of The Villa Maria in Hurley; sister, the Rev. Dr. Ardyth Kovacevich Johnson (C. Dale), Hurley; stepbrother, Randy Masenheimer, York, Penn.; niece, Yvonne A.K. Johnson, Spokane, Wash.; nephew, Randall C. Johnson of Kona, Hawaii; aunt, Dixie Kovacevich Shutes, Ironwood; uncle, Anthony Michaels, Ironwood; cousins, Richard and the Rev. Robert Shutes, Janice Cobb, Bishop Elect Fr. Anthony, Craig and Joanne Michaels, Sharon Seeboth, Wendy Babler, Shane Kovacevich, Marlene, Charlene, Joyce Kovacevich; and other cousins and friends.      Rod's stepfather, Larry W. Masenheimer died on March 22, 2011 in Hendersonville, North Carolina.      A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home, 305 N. Lowell St., in Ironwood.      Committal will take place in Riverside Cemetery, Ironwood, where full military honors will be accorded by the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard.       Memorial gifts are appreciated to: The Rod Steve Kovacevich Memorial Scholarship, Gogebic Community College Foundation, E4946 Jackson Road, Ironwood MI 49938.      To view Rod's obituary online, sign his guestbook or offer condolences, visit mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.      Arrangements are entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood.