Obituary for George "Keith" Rodgers
Passed peacefully on Saturday, June 10th 2023 at the age of 89. Keith was predeceased earlier this year by his beloved wife and high school sweetheart, Patricia “Paddy” May Rodgers. Lovingly remembered by son Doug Rodgers, his wife Kim and their children Mairead and Liam and grandchild Ainslee; and daughter Mary Lutek, her husband Peter and their children Keegan and Bryn. Predeceased by his sister Janice Cocks.
Keith had a life-long passion for water and boats. His graduate work at UBC (M.Sc. Physical Oceanography) and UofT (Ph.D. Physics – Hydrology) focused on the physics of oceans and lakes, as did his research at UofT’s Great Lakes Institute. Subsequently, his work and directorship at Environment Canada’s Canada Centre for Inland Waters allowed Keith to make significant contributions to a wide range of government and international projects. He was particularly proud of his role as science coordinator for the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.
Keith’s boats included a kayak he made as a teenager, various canoes, a sailboat that he primarily used in the Burlington Bay and radio-controlled sailboats. He also expertly built wood replicas of significant boats related to the Rodgers family history - a history that he extensively researched and documented in his retirement.
A quiet graveside service will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Burlington.
For those who wish, donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation, a local food bank or other charity in honour of Keith would be sincerely appreciated by the family.
Keith had a life-long passion for water and boats. His graduate work at UBC (M.Sc. Physical Oceanography) and UofT (Ph.D. Physics – Hydrology) focused on the physics of oceans and lakes, as did his research at UofT’s Great Lakes Institute. Subsequently, his work and directorship at Environment Canada’s Canada Centre for Inland Waters allowed Keith to make significant contributions to a wide range of government and international projects. He was particularly proud of his role as science coordinator for the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.
Keith’s boats included a kayak he made as a teenager, various canoes, a sailboat that he primarily used in the Burlington Bay and radio-controlled sailboats. He also expertly built wood replicas of significant boats related to the Rodgers family history - a history that he extensively researched and documented in his retirement.
A quiet graveside service will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Burlington.
For those who wish, donations to Heart and Stroke Foundation, a local food bank or other charity in honour of Keith would be sincerely appreciated by the family.