Obituary of Roderick Gillis McKeen
Roderick Gillis McKeen passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Dawson Creek, BC, at the age of 92 years.
Rod grew up in Kapuskasing, Ontario, studied engineering at Indiana State University and McGill University, and had an exciting opportunity working with the Avro Arrow project in the 50’s. Rod met his wife, Roberta, in Toronto, while she studied voice at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Rod went west for work opportunities and worked with Imperial Oil, the University of Alberta Hospital (personnel manager) as well as selling residential and commercial real estate with Royal Trust, Remax and Sutton Realty in Edmonton.
Rod was an incredible athlete and played all sports extremely well. His sporting prowess in his 80’s was always admired by others, who are many decades younger. Rod always modelled excellent sportsmanship. He loved swimming, lifeguarding, football, tennis, and golf. His grandsons marveled that their grandpa routinely executed backflips into the pool and his strength as he walked on his hands across the first tee out in front of his chalet.
Rod never spoke a bad word about anyone and, to his credit, he never cursed and he was always willing to help others. He could strike up a conversation with anyone. He was immensely proud of his Scottish heritage and family. Rod enjoyed carrying out his retirement years at Lake Okanagan Resort in the beautiful, sunny, Okanagan.
He was predeceased by his wife, Roberta (Rowe) of 49 years, siblings: Jessie (Dwight), Harvey, Clare, Vern (Marg); son-in-law Robert and granddaughter, Ocean.
He is survived by his children: David (Diane), Shelley, Doug (Janis); grandchildren: Taylor, Brendan, Karen, Tyler, Shantelle, and Brookelyn, and ten great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Rod’s life will be at a later date.
For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Rod to the Kelowna Gospel Mission, 251 Leon Ave, Kelowna, BC V1Y 6J1 (www.kelownagospelmission.ca) or the Canadian Cancer Society, 1100 Alward Street, Prince George, BC V2M 7B1 (www.cancer.ca).
Very Respectfully Reynars Funeral Home & Crematorium
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