Roderick Ian McNeil

He was born in Adelaide, Australia where he grew up with his parents, Roderick David McNeil and Rita Isadora (Trembath) and his two older sisters, Margaret (Peg) and Helen. He did well both at school and in all athletic and social ventures. He graduated from the University of Queensland with a degree in Engineering. That in hand, he arrived in North America by boat in 1954, and after enjoying an epic road trip, settled in Vancouver, BC. He began work as a land surveyor, most often stationed in remote areas of the then, rapidly expanding province.

He met his wife Adele on top of Grouse Mountain and began a long and happy marriage, raising 3 children.

Later, when BCIT opened in 1964, he decided to join them and helped establish the Land Surveying programme. Over the years he taught and mentored many new BC Land Surveyors.

He was known to try anything once and not shy away from a challenge, athletically or otherwise.

A great joy to him were the many years building and spending time at his cabin on Shuswap Lake with Adele and his children, grandchildren and extended family. He made sure we all knew how to water-ski by an early age!

Ian was a founding member and former president of the Vancouver Racquets Club. He enjoyed the squash community and played well into his 80’s.

Travels took him and Adele on many adventures around the world by land and sea and back to Australia to visit family over the years. They were blessed with very close long-time friends.

Throughout his life, Ian enjoyed squash, tennis, water-skiing, building and repairing things, most often followed by a beer or a glass or two of Australian wine. He was known for his great penchant for talking and spinning tales with friends and strangers alike.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Adele in 2010.

Ian will be forever missed by daughter Kim (Reg) (Edward 2018), son Glen (Julie), and son Scott (Alanna). 5 Grandchildren Tyler, Issy, Rudy, Leah and Melanie and 2 Great -Grandchildren Hudson and Stella.

Ian was a true gentleman. He had integrity and a great curiosity and appreciation of all things in the natural world. He had an ingrained sense of humour and was known for his sharp wit and his practical jokes.

If you wish, honour him by doing simple acts of kindness, smile at your neighbour, hold the door for someone, help out when you can and go easy on people. We all need more kindness. Love and be loved.

He will be in our hearts forever.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.firstmemorialnorthvancouver.com for the McNeil family.