Tod Withey, Dodge College digital systems engineer, passes away at 54

Tod Withey, a long-time digital systems engineer at Dodge College, was found deceased in an office of Marion Knott Studios Dec. 7. Photo courtesy of Dave Goedhart

Tod Withey, a digital systems engineer at Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, was found deceased in an office in Marion Knott Studios on Tuesday evening. 

Withey joined the Chapman community in January 1997, and he leaves behind a daughter who is also a Chapman alumna. 

According to Brian Powell, vice president and chief human resources officer, paramedics believe Withey died of natural causes, but the claim has yet to be confirmed by the Coroner Division of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Powell also stated in an email to The Panther that Withey was found by two staff coworkers who immediately contacted emergency medical services and attempted to revive him, to no avail.

Kareem Marashi, the director of production and technical operations, described Withey as a “battlefield sergeant” who was always getting things done and tackling issues that came up. 

“He was really committed to helping the students, and that is why he showed up to work every day … making a difference,” Marashi said. “He’d keep in touch with a lot of the students, (and) he'd still provide tech support sometimes after they graduated.”

Some of Withey’s duties as a digital systems engineer included maintaining the computers in the labs and classrooms, managing the 3D printer, helping students and staff with technical issues and supporting the shared media storage and classroom technology systems.

David Goedhart, a television studio engineer at Dodge College and 2005 Chapman alumnus, has shared an office with Withey since he began working at the university in 2009. 

“Tod was a big personality, when you got to know him,” Goedhart said. “He was a really funny guy who was also really level headed … And I never saw him lose his temper at a person. (He was) a really caring guy with a passion (for) helping students.”

Goedhart, was a student at Chapman while Withey was working at Dodge, although they did not meet until Goedhart joined the staff himself. Withey served as a mentor to him, especially when it came to 3D printing, Goedhart told The Panther.

“I was always amazed by his thirst for knowledge,” Goedhart said. “He was here for 25 years, and think about how much technology has changed in 25 years. He was our frontline main guy, always learning new tools, always learning software (and) always figuring it out.” 

Goedhart added that Withey had a passion for technology and building things in his personal life: he built an entire CNC plasma cutting machine in his garage and a camping trailer complete with solar panels.

“I'm always just amazed at how well he could keep up with everything,” Goedhart said. “We always wanted to learn more. That was really his passion for being here. It wasn't just filling a seat in a job. He thoroughly enjoyed being here, (he) loved the purpose and the mission and he's going to be dearly missed.”

Goedhart said sitting on Withey’s desk are 3D printed rings that the late engineer had created and was very proud of. 

Withey’s colleagues from Dodge College and the Fish Interfaith Center are exploring a possible memorial event to be held at Chapman with his family in the future.