It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Roderick McMillan on January 24th, at the age of 73 years.
Devoted husband of Jenny and beloved brother of Glenda (Robert). Predeceased by his parents Stewart and Thelma and his sister Marilyn. Uncle Rod remembered by nieces and nephews Letitia, Christopher, Michael, Ashley, David, Susan and Andrea. He will be dearly missed by friends and family in Canada, USA and in England.
Rod was born in British Columbia. Inspired by a chemistry set given as a gift by his older sisters when he was a little boy, Rod began his academic studies. Rod received BSc in chemistry at Simon Fraser University and PhD at University of British Columbia. He completed post-doctoral work at Stanford University, University of Oxford and University of British Columbia. Years later he moved to Ottawa for employment at National Research Council as a Principle Research Officer and National Resources Canada in the Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Transportation Energy Group. In the year 2002 Roderick received the Golden Jubilee Medal of Queen Elizabeth II at NRC for outstanding achievement. It was in Ottawa where Rod met his wife Jenny both passengers on a broken down VIA rail train in 1987 on his way to a car racing event in Toronto. On this fateful day Rod and Jenny began a wonderful life together for over 35 years.
Throughout Rod’s recreational life he constantly challenged himself, competing in car racing events, designing objects with a 3D printer, and mastering the skill of a guitar luthier.
A private outdoor Memorial Service will be held at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, ON).
Those wishing to donate in Rod’s honour may consider the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the University of Ottawa Heart Institute.
Digital Guestbook
Alan Blackwell
Thom McCracken
My condolences. Having worked in the office next to Rod for many years, and having had a few beers with him on occasion after hours, I will surely miss his sense of humour and keen insight into many scientific problems to be solved.
Steven Beale
Very sad to hear of Rod’s passing. He was a really great guy. I knew him well from the NRC days. Apart from selling me his motorbike, and trying to sell me a drum kit, he also introduced me to the fascinating subject of electrochemistry. Rod was one of a kind. Most sincere sympathies to his family.
Conrad Gaudet
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss Jenny. Our thoughts are with you.
Gillian Licari
Rod was a kind and generous friend to me when we lived in the same apartment building on Bronson Ave. I recall being a passenger in his red Triumph once. It broke down on the way back from my parents' cottage and we had to be towed back to town!! He was very smart and funny and luckily we shared many of the same strong views. I am very sad to hear of his sudden death. Thank you Jenny for letting me know. Sincere condolences to you and his family
Julie and Brian Brennan
As neighbours for 6 years, we were saddened to learn of Rod’s passing.
He and Jenny didn’t hesitate to help us when we had trees down during the storm last year and he kept the catch basins clear to make sure the street wouldn’t flood.
I hope Jenny gets to enjoy the wild flower garden he made to attract the bees and butterflies. With condolences.
I knew Rod at NRC, where I was a corporate lawyer. After I left there, we had interactions focussed on cars. For my own hobby, I have a large workshop with many automotive tools. Rod spent many hours there on automotive projects. One was restoring and painting his Triumph sports car. That was a long project that turned out great. When I see traces of red in my paint booth, I think of Rod. He also turned an old Volkswagen chassis into a snow plow. That was complicated, and not entirely successful, but a satisfying challenge. I still make occasional use of nuts and bolts of many largish sizes that are left from that project, and think thankfully of him. Those projects were very solo, because Rod preferred to work alone, but the beer fridge sometimes brought us together. He hasn’t been here for a number of years now, and I too am slowing at such stuff, but those memories are pleasant.