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Board » In memoriam » RIP - In Memoriam - Rod

Posted by
RainbowChaser


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2009-06-14 09:44:50
2023-12-26 13:15:54 - RIP - In Memoriam - Rod



Family Obituary now here

Dear all

I have some very sad news to share - overnight I received a one-line FB message from Rod's son, Doug, to say that Rod died yesterday, 25 December. At this time I know no more of the precise circumstances, as Doug wasn't even sure if I was the right contact or not. If I hear more from him I will share it.

Rod joined Sailonline in 2010, pretty much around the time I did, and was an active racer up until very recently.

As many of you know I have been unable to race or participate in Sailonline due medical issues, so am, sadly, unaware if Rod had been unwell recently - some of you will know more and I hope will chip in with your memories and anecdotes.

My memories of Rod are fond ones, from racing here and most especially from Practice Racing here, too. An informal group of Sailonline racers used to organise short pre-race practice races, all set up by hand and run pretty informally. It was through this practice racing that I came to know Rod - as much as anyone can get to "know" someone via race chat. He was a former scientist (I want to say ?professor of biology), enjoyed radio-control boat racing and seemed to know a lot about clocks and things mechanical! His family cat Tux was often a topic of conversation and the successor-cat Miss Kitty!

Rod and family lived in Ontario, Canada but I do know that Rod originally came from Newcastle upon Tyne, England, and at a fairly young age came to Canada - again, I'm unsure how that happened. I do remember him mentioning being in the Canadian Navy as he spoke of being a very junior officer (when we were racing by Haida Gwai!

I miss him already.

Joanne/RainbowChaser

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--- Last Edited by RainbowChaser at 2024-01-09 12:45:22 ---
Posted by
Tyger / Robert Neilson


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2012-05-28 15:07:00
2023-12-26 16:31:24 - Re: RIP - In Memoriam - Rod
Sad news Joanne.
Rod and I found we held the same rank in our respective Naval Reserves (Sub-Lieutenant/SBLT) and were both in 'Intelligence'.
Not sure how old he was but he must have been well into his 80s.
Can you find out from the database which sol race was his last? It only seems recent (the Sinbad Series) but can't be sure.
“We may have arrived on different ships, but we are all in the same boat now!” Martin Luther King Jr.
Posted by
weekend


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2018-07-02 18:28:02
2023-12-26 16:39:42 - Re: RIP - In Memoriam - Rod
Thank you for this Joanne. We miss you around here so much!

Very sad to learn of Rod's passing. What a gentleman sailor he was. in the few years I've been floating around SOL waters, Rod was always there, a fellow Maple Leaf flag on the water. Usually well ahead of me on better lines :)

I will miss his constant presence in the races and encouraging comments. Rest in peace and fair winds, fellow sailor.
Posted by
fastpassage39


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2009-10-29 05:45:46
2023-12-26 18:40:17 - Re: RIP - In Memoriam - Rod
Sad news, indeed.
IF my memory cells are correct (a big if these days), Rod commented in chat various times regarding some of his experiences in the Navy sailing the waters of the inside passage between Vancouver Island and the mainland. My experiences in those waters, along with circumnavigating the island, are some of my favorite sailing memories. Also, I think of Rod when passing by the local club racing their remote control boats during my neighborhood walks. He participated in many SOL races and seemed to be a constant presence near my fastpassage39. I will miss that.

Thank you, Joanne, for letting us know. Take care.
Posted by
sol


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2008-08-14 11:08:14
2023-12-31 19:14:30 - Re: RIP - In Memoriam - Rod
Very sad news to hear.
Rod has been around longer than I have and was a fine competitor. Especially in the practice races which he was always in when I had time to race in those.

I am in Vermont, not far from where Rod lived in terms of the globe we raced around so many times. It was always nice to see him in races.

Fair winds Rod.

David / Renegade
Posted by
Satori


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2020-06-16 21:08:44
2024-02-21 16:25:54 - Re: RIP - In Memoriam - Rod
After an absence from SOL I was saddened to hear that Rod had passed away. He was one of a small group of Canucks and Friends that corresponded and he will be missed. Knowing that I lived within driving range, he did his darnedest to get me into radio controlled boat racing. May he RIP.

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