Roderick Alexander MACMULLIN
MacMullin, Roderick Alexander (Rod)
1953-2024
On December 6, 2024, Mr. Roderick MacMullin passed away after a 18 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Rod was 71 years of age.
Rod is survived by his two sisters: Bernadette MacMullin (Wayne Smith) and Diana MacMullin. He was predeceased by his parents Bernard and Ernestine (nee Smith).
Rod was born March 16, 1953 and was named after his uncle who died in WWII. He was the oldest of three and in 1959 welcomed his sister Bernadette and in 1960 his sister Diana.
Rod had many interests. He loved his aquariums with tropical fish, studied piano and completed grade 7 with the Toronto Conservatory of Music. He was very well read and loved going to movies. He also loved the after movies discussions. He was involved in Boy Scouts and then Air Cadets where he learned gliding and earned his pilots license. He played French Horn with the Cosmopolitan Music Society.
Rod attended Archbishop MacDonald High School. He attended the University of Alberta, gaining a degree in Zoology and a degree in Marine Biology. Due to Government cutbacks, he was not able to find work in these fields but continued to pursue other interests. He attended Westerra Campus (NAIT) and studied Computer Engineering Technology. Rod applied to NAIT and was hired as an Instructor in the Physics department which he taught for 25 years. He had a gift of knowledge and enjoyed sharing it with others. He was well liked by his students and faculty.
Rod took a Captain’s course in B.C. and that began his immense love of sailing. He purchased his own sailboat called “Salty Spray”. He belonged to the Edmonton Yacht Club (Wabamun) and spent most of his time working on the boat and sailing. His involvement in the club and sailing gave him great joy. His dream was to retire and sail to the coast and beyond.
In Rod’s 40’s he was diagnosed and treated for Prostate Cancer, then in his middle 50’s was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He continued to teach and sail his boat as long as he could before taking early retirement. The last four years of Rod’s life were spent living in a care home.
Even though Rod had many struggles with his health he accepted and dealt with it in a positive manner and with a positive attitude.
If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to Parkinson Canada,
So sorry for your loss.
What an interesting life Rod lived, thank you for sharing.
Deepest condolences to the MacMullin family. So sorry for your loss
I worked with Rod for 25 years in the Physics Department at NAIT. Rod was an excellent instructor and a good friend to all staff and students. He was missed when he had to take early retirement because of his health, and his memory will live on in those that knew him. My wife and I are very sorry for the loss of Rod to your family.
I fondly remember the hours our families spent chin-wagging over our good neighbour fence. Rod always had a smile on his face and was ready for a good visit.
Rob will be missed by his family and friends!
Rest in peace neighbour!
Rod and I shared an office at NAIT for many years. I enjoyed our lunches together and our endless chats. He was a very gifted instructor. He had a wonderful repore with his students and could relate to them in ways many can not.
He was very passionate about sailing but unfortunately was not fully able to follow that dream into retirement.
He was one of the good ones and will be missed.