Facebook

Login

Support Sailonline

If you haven't already - join the SAILONLINE YACHT CLUB!

Please also consider making a donation - all amounts are greatly appreciated!

Board » In memoriam » RIP - In Memoriam - Rod

Posted by
RainbowChaser


Users avatar

Posts
2656
Registered at
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

__________________

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


Users avatar

Posts
108
Registered at
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


Users avatar

Posts
4
Registered at
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


Users avatar

Posts
28
Registered at
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


Users avatar

Posts
297
Registered at
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


Users avatar

Posts
13
Registered at
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.

Please login to post a reply.

Races

Next Race: 00d 00h 00m

Current Races:

Svalbard Circuit 2025


If you're tired of high temperatures, we suggest a change of scenery and a visit to the Arctic Ocean. SOL invites you to the next ARCH race, which will take place on a new route spanning over 650 nm around the Svalbard Archipelago. Beware of polar bears and don't take them on board your Xp-55, because while they may look pleasant, they are very dangerous.
Race #1940
INFO from brainaid.de
Xp-55 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
ARQ3 - ARCH - SUPSOL – SYC
Race starts: Aug 11th 17:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Captain Gosnold TIMED Memorial Race 2025

Welcome to Newport, RI, one of the great sailing centers of the world. This TIMED race takes us around Nantucket Island in RC 44s to celebrate the life of Capt. Bartholomew Gosnold who, among many other things in his short life, named Cape Cod for the teeming fish he encountered there, and Martha’s Vineyard for his daughter. This is a TIMEDrace so you may RE-REGISTER HEREto try again after finishing a run. You will have 13 days and 11 hours to test your skill and decision making after the race opens.
Race #1939
INFOby brainaid.de
RC 44 Particulars
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
TRQ3 - TRCH - SUPSOL - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Saturday,
23 August at 23:00 UTC
Race starts: Aug 10th 12:00 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

SSANZ Triple Series 2025 - Race 2

Welcome back to race two of the SSANZ Triple Series—it's time for the Lewmar 100! Our dynamic fleet of Young 88s returns for another exhilarating 40 nautical mile battle across the stunning waters off Auckland, New Zealand. Once again, our skilled Sailonline racers will test their strategic minds and endurance against seasoned sailors from the Young 88 Association. With intense competition, shifting conditions, and plenty of tactical decision-making, this race promises high-energy sailing and edge-of-your-seat excitement from start to finish!
Race #1933
INFO by brainaid.de
Young 88 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking:
SSANZ - SYC
RACE CLOSE: Wednesday,
August 13 at 2300 UTC.
Race starts: Aug 08th 21:15 Registration Open!
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Cape Town to Java 2025

Get ready for an exhilarating new challenge as we set sail on the eighth leg of the 2025 Ocean Championship Series! Reversing the 18th century footsteps of the indentured Cape Malays that inspired Isna Marifa’s moving novel 'Mountains More Ancient' , this leg takes us from Cape Town South Africa to the Bay of Belbuhan on the south west coast of Java - a 5100 nm journey of endurance, strategy, and pure sailing adrenaline, aboard the 125 ft Orange catamaran. Do you have what it takes to conquer the Indian Ocean? Join us and put your skills to the ultimate test!
PRIZE: SMPF
Race #1937
INFO by brainaid.de
Orange 125 PARTICULARS
WX Updates:
0430 / 1030 / 1630 / 2230
Ranking: OCQ3 - OCCH - SUPSOL - SYC
Race starts: Aug 04th 11:00 Registration Closed
▶ Flash
GO TO RACE

Go to race archive

SYC Ranking

  1. Sailonline Yacht Club Member WRmirekd
  2. Sailonline Yacht Club Member CriticalHippo
  3. Sailonline Yacht Club Member vida
  4. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Kipper1258
  5. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rafa
  6. Sailonline Yacht Club Member KaSToR
  7. Sailonline Yacht Club Member Sax747
  8. Sailonline Yacht Club Member BRENTGRAY
  9. Sailonline Yacht Club Member rumskib
  10. Sailonline Yacht Club Member FreyjaUSA

View full list

Series

Mobile Client

SYC members have the benefit of access to our mobile/lightweight web client!

The mobile client