Roderick 'Rod' Gordon Alexander Smith

Roderick Gordon Alexander Smith died in his home July 1, 2024. Roderick (also known as Roddy and Rod at various times of his life) was born June 10, 1946 in Regina Saskatchewan to Thomas Adam and Margaret Irene (McRae) Smith. Rod moved with his parents and older sister Sandra to Lacombe, Alberta the following year when his father purchased the Owl Economy Grocery store. Rod spoke fondly of his time growing up in Lacombe where he enjoyed many happy hours playing with the other children on his street, spending time at Gull Lake, and being involved in Scouting. He was very active in many sports and excelled at football, basketball and badminton.

Immediately following his graduation from the University of Alberta in May 1969, Rod started teaching at Delburne Centralized School. Rod stayed at Delburne School for his entire teaching and coaching career, retiring after 33 years. During that time, Rod developed the high school into a powerhouse of school athletics. The Delburne Trojans Nine-Man Football teams dominated their league and brought home many Central Alberta Championships. The girls’ and boys’ basketball teams at all age levels brought home numerous trophies and the Senior teams frequently competed at Provincials. In 1981, the senior Boys’ Basketball team won the Provincial Championship. During his time in Delburne, the athletes also represented the school at the provincial level in Cross Country Running, Badminton and Track and Field.  Rod taught Physical Education at many grade levels, in addition to High School English, Social Studies, Outdoor Life, and Career and Life Management. He also coordinated the Work Experience Program and was the School Counselor for several years. He had a powerful impact on two generations of Delburne students and gave hundreds of students and their parents pride in their school, in their town and in themselves. In addition to countless hours coaching and teaching in Delburne, Rod had a passion for hunting, jogging, canoeing and camping and even tried his hand at cattle farming on his acreage. He was a loving, supportive, and proud father to his daughters, Kathleen and Sue. Following his retirement, Rod returned to the family home in Lacombe.

Rod suffered from many health issues and frequent hospitalizations following his retirement. Despite this, he remined a very caring, involved and generous grandfather to Jonathan, Megan and Katherine. He valued his ongoing connections with family, friends and former students and colleagues.

Rod is survived by his daughter Kathleen (Scott) Kennedy of Sherwood Park and Susanne (Jim) Wood of Calgary and their mother Carolyn Smith of Surrey, B.C. His grandchildren Katherine of Sherwood Park, Jonathan of Edmonton and Megan of Calgary will miss him very much.  He is also survived by his loving sister Sandra (Paul) Duteau of Calgary and their children Tim (deceased), Murray, Nicole and Robert and families, as well as many cousins.  A small family memorial will be planned at a later time.  

Donations in Rod’s name can be made to Kidsport Lacombe County https://kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/lacombe/ or Stars Air Ambulance https://stars.ca

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