DFC, BA, MA, PhD, FRGS, FR.Hist.S., Professor Emeritus
5 January 1923 – 26 March 2012
William Rodney, airman, scholar and gentleman, died at home on 26 March 2012. Born in Drumheller, Alberta, he joined the RCAF at the age of 17, trained at the Commonwealth Air Training Base Patricia Bay, and earned his pilot’s wings. He flew Halifaxes in operations over Germany and Occupied Europe as a Flight Lieutenant with RAF Squadron 78, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar for “gallantry during active operations against the enemy”. After World War II, he attended the University of Alberta, meeting his wife Helen (McGregor) of Edmonton, and graduating with First Class Honours in History. During the summers, he worked as a Ranger in Waterton Lakes National Park, where he came to know the story of “Kootenai” Brown, whose definitive biography he was later to write and for which he received the American Association for State and Local History Award of Merit and Distinction. Bill and Helen married in 1950, when he took up a Beaver Club Trust Fellowship at St John’s College, Cambridge, where he completed a BA and MA in history and played ice-hockey for Cambridge University. After several years working in Ottawa for the federal government, he returned to Great Britain with his family and completed a PhD in History at the London School of Economics, under the supervision of Leonard Shapiro. He published Soldiers of the International, a History of the Communist Party of Canada 1919 – 1929, based on his doctoral research. In 1962 he moved to Victoria to take up a teaching position at Royal Roads Military College, where he stayed for the remainder of his career, ultimately becoming Dean of Arts. His former students remember “the Rod” with affection and admiration. During his years at Royal Roads, he took an active part in College and academic life, regularly publishing scholarly articles. Among many research grants and awards, he received a NATO fellowship to travel to French West Africa and report on conditions there. He was a Fellow, Royal Historical Society; Fellow, Royal Geographical Society; Life Member, Cdn Hist. Assn.; Mem., Cdn. Institute of Intl. Affairs; Johnian Society and Dir., Cambridge Canadian Trust. A firm belief in the need to return to primary sources drove him to travel frequently for research. In preparing Joe Boyle, King of the Klondike, for which he was awarded the University of British Columbia Medal for Popular Biography, he spent considerable periods in Roumania and in Turkey, in order to consult original documents, including the personal diaries of Queen Marie of Roumania. After the early death of his beloved wife Helen, and his own retirement, he travelled widely – to Japan, China, Burma, Australia, Turkey, Abu Dhabi, many European countries and Great Britain – and was active in the community at home in Victoria. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Gonzales Hill Preservation Society and Gonzales Hill Regional Park. He was also an active member of the Canadian Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Chapter (now CIC) and of the Vancouver Island Aircrew Association. He leaves his grieving children, Helen Catherine (Michel Drouin) and John William McGregor (Glen Dixon), and his granddaughter Emma, the apple of his eye. He is remembered with great affection by his sister-in-law Evelyn Rodney of Vancouver, his sister- and brother-in-law Gwen and George Molnar of Edmonton, many nieces and nephews, and friends across the world. He was a fine pilot, a rigorous scholar, a good friend, father and grandfather, an erudite, honest and honorable man. He did his duty.
The funeral will take place on Thursday 5 April at 11:00 a.m., at the Interfaith Chapel, University of Victoria, followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. Condolences may be sent to the family below.
34 Responses
Dear Helen and Greg,
I was very sorry to hear the sad news about your father. What an accomplished man he was, someone who really lived life to the full.
Like Chris, I remember our years at Royal Roads fondly and would love to be in touch again.
With much sympathy,
Angie
Helen and Greg,
I was talking with Geoff on the phone this evening and he told me of your Dad’s passing. I am so sorry to hear about it. Your Dad had an amazing life.
I have often wondered what you both have been up to and often remember the great times we had at Royal Roads You were such a wonderful family and great friends.
Chris
To the family of “The Rod”,
I experienced Dr. William Rodney’s 1st year history class – “Europe since Napoleon” – in 1982-83 and it was he who showed me that history could be interesting, relevant, and fun. I think he treated me with tolerance, ignoring my tendency to read other books during class because I’d read the textbook the first week and so could respond with reasonable veracity to any questions he tossed my way.
Dr. Rodney would walk into the classroom, scrawl an undecipherable hieroglyphic on the board, sometimes accompanied by an utterance – “Metternich!” – and speak apparently off the cuff for the remainder of the period. I thought he was wonderful. Somewhere during that year I learned of his DFC and Bar, which taught me that history was not necessarily a field reserved for fusty academics, and thus something I could study as life went on.
I graduated from RRMC with a BSC but in subsequent years I did manage to earn an MA in War Studies, for which he is in part responsible, and I continue to dabble in matters historical. Being taught by him was for me a formative experience for which I remain deeply grateful.
Please accept my condolences.
Sincerely,
Rohan Maxwell
My condolences to family and friends of Dr. Rodney. I took history at Royal Roads from 74-76 and enjoyed it enough to take a History major at RMC rather than stick with my original plan to do Business Admin at CMR.
I was a student at RRMC and remember Dr Rod very well. He was a great man. So sad to hear of his passing.
Helen and John,
Diane and I were very sorry to learn of Bill’s death upon our return to Victoria. He had a very distinguished and extensive career. I was privileged to work with him for a number of years whilst I was Principal of Royal Roads Military College.
John Mothersill
Dear Helen Kate, Greg, and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of our family visiting yours in Victoria and Uncle Bill taking us swimming and to Fort Rodd Hill. I also enjoyed interesting discussions with him on his visits to Toronto. I know my parents treasure the memories of their friendship with your folks. Our thoughts are with all of you.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Rooney
Helen, Greg and Emma,
In addition to your father’s many, many accomplishments in his professional and “civilian” life, to cut to the heart of the matter I am truly sorry for the loss of your father and grandfather. It has been a while since I saw your Dad (Emma was just around 2) but I remember his twinkle, how sparkling and fun conversation with him was and especially how he proudly told me how completely Emma had him wrapped around her little finger.
We remember wonderful events with Bill and Helen when we lived on Sylvan Lane and prize recollections of their friendship with us. Our thoughts are with you all. We both remember his connection with Royal Roads and Betsy’s Parents, the CC Cooks.
Helen, I am sorry to read the news of your father’s passing. I met William last year at the annual seminar of the Western Front Association (Pacific Coast Branch). I enjoyed our conversation and photographed him with Atholl Sutherland-Brown. The photo can be viewed here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bigadore/5501750096/lightbox/
I extend my condolences to you, John, Emma and all those who grieve his passing.
Alan MacLeod