Obituary of Kenneth Clarke Rodger BSc.MD.CM.,FRCPC

The death of Dr. Kenneth C. Rodger, husband of the late Helen Matilda (Gunn) Rodger, occurred at Rocmaura Nursing Home on Thursday September 18, 2014. Dad was a very special man and will be sadly missed by family and friends. He was born in Amherst, N.S. on June 17, 1922, and was the son of the late James O., and Vivienne (Murdock) Rodger. He is survived by his sons: Paul (Susan MacMackin) of Rothesay and Doug (Perla Rudolfo) of Victoria B.C.; one daughter Linda (Mike) Beckwith of Saint John; 11 grandchildren, Jill (Jimmy) DeWare, Janis, Alison and Laura Rodger, Kevin (Erica), Matthew (MaryKate), and Geoff Beckwith, Tricia (Shane) Stokes, Jennifer McAdam, Claudia and Benjamin Rodger; 5 great grandchildren, Layla and Cameron Beckwith, Matilda DeWare, Brady Stokes, and Michael Beckwith. He was predeceased by his brother Murdock Rodger, daughter Ann McAdam and son-in-law Bob McAdam. He obtained his BSc from Mt. Allison University in 1942 and survived a tragic fire when the Mt. Allison men’s residence burned down and he lost five friends. Unable to actively serve during WWII he reached the rank of Major in the Reserve Army. He graduated from Dalhousie Medical School in 1947 followed by two years general practice in River Hebert and Joggins N.S. and two years Post Graduate Studies at London, England. He studied at such hospitals as Hammersmith, Great Ormond St., Queens Square, Brompton Chest, and the Institute of Cardiology. He returned to Canada in 1951 where he spent two years working with Dr. Arnold Branch at the Lancaster D.V.A. Hospital as a research fellow in antibiotics and infectious diseases and then completed his post graduate studies doing his Fellowship Course in Toronto. In 1951 Dad met Helen Gunn RN on the 5th floor of the old General Hospital. They always said "love at first sight." They married in May 1952 and had 53 wonderful years of marriage. She predeceased him in 2005 at the age of 80. In 1953 he established a private practice in Internal Medicine at 19 Wellington Row, Saint John where he practiced for 30 years. He spent his last six years in active practice in Geriatrics and he retired in 1988 at the age of 66. He was Associate Professor of Medicine at Dalhousie University and spent considerable time during the years teaching and lecturing Interns and Medical Residents. He was also involved in the establishment of the Coronary Care Unit, the Diabetic Teaching Centre and the Geriatric Assessment Unit. Although he could play most instruments, the "fiddle" was his passion. He had his first violin at the age of 12 and was an admirer of Don Messer. On medical retirement he took up the fiddle again and played with the Saint John Old Time Fiddlers at nursing homes and hospitals for many years. For two years he served as Secretary Treasurer for the Maritime Fiddlers Association. Mom and Dad enjoyed hosting the fiddlers at their home and attended many "fiddle do’s " together. He was a member of Saint Mark’s United Church most of his life. Dad spent many summers at the Isle of Pines on the St. John River with his family and friends. Good times were had at the "green rail" during the summer and while duck hunting in the fall. Dad spent his early years at Amherst Shore on the sand bars and in later years enjoyed cottage life with his kids and grandkids, swimming and swinging golf clubs on the sand bars. The Surf and Sands Golf Tournament became an annual family event started in 1985 and continues to this day. The family would like to thank all the staff at Rocmaura Nursing Home for their wonderful care and attention. During his three years at Rocmaura he kept the nurses laughing with his silly puns, constant compliments and well fed with Kit Kat bars. Funeral arrangements are in the care of Brenan’s Bay View Funeral Home, 1461 Manawagonish Road, Saint John (634-7425). Visitation will be held at Brenan's Bay View Funeral Home from 7 to 9 pm on Saturday September 20 and 2 to5 pm on Sunday, September 21st. The funeral will be held on September 22 at 12:00 noon at Brenan’s Bay View Chapel. Interment to follow at Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery. Rememberances may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, Rocmura Nursing Home or the donors choice.