Saturday, August 28, 2010
I never had to directly be a student of Rod's to be touched by what he gave generously. My first memory of Rod was meeting him at the Kootenay Zone Drama Festival in 2003, which he organized. I remember from going for lunch with him and getting to experience his facilities and the great festival he organized that he was passionate and good at what he did, and he had a big heart. It was drama teachers like him and my own drama teacher in Kaslo that helped to inspire me to become a teacher -- he was one of those teachers who gave it everything for the opportunities for their students. The calibre of the festival that he set up, which included bringing in a professional adjudicator for our performances, helped to show how much respect he had for his students and those of the region. One of the most momentous occasions of my high school career was being awarded a top award by the adjudicator at that festival.
When I returned to live in Cranbrook for school a couple of years later, I always made a point of going to see the big shows he did with his students because I knew they would be inspirational for me as both a person and a teacher.
I will be thinking of Rod during his memorial this afternoon and am sure half the town will want to be in attendance for the number of lives he touched. He will be very sorely missed and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and those whose lives he graciously affected.
