ALLAN DAVID RUTHERFORD

Condolences & Memories (13 entries)

• Dear Wanda, Kate, Blair and family, It has taken a bit of time to compose the following fond memories to share with you all from the Birt family so thank you for your patience as time keeps marching on for us all after Al’s passing… I truly believe one of my first memories of Al, Wanda and Kate I was likely hovering around three years old and was in the back seat of a piper super cub on floats taking off from the Red River… The sounds… the white water splashing past the windows and a little boy’s awe as we left the river for the sky…the experience hooking me to one day become a seaplane pilot myself not too far down the road of life… Another one of those early child hood memories… guessing I was about 4 years old at that point I was standing in the hatch of one of Al’s early sail boats under full sail… I recall it being a Red Wing and perhaps one of the first “Flamingos”… If memory serves me right Becky and Kate were standing there next to me in the hatchway as I was trying to see through the tears of shear terror along with Becky’s wailing thinking for sure we were going to tip over as Kate, Wanda and Mum comforted us that everything was going to be OK and as I looked back in the cockpit I saw Al and Dad with cool sunglasses taking it all in both with a bit of a grin that only good old friends and proud fathers could enjoy during a scene like that… Little did I know that that first scary memory of sailing would turn into a life long love of the water and the sea and the amazing art of sailing and what a beautiful companion it would become to the love of family and of flying. And clear and beautiful memories of our visits to the Rutherfords on Beaver Brooke… Al and Dad scaring Kate and I in the dark basement with green, red and yellow colored flash lights held below a father’s chin producing fright, giggling and laughter. Al always seemed to be the first to have the coolest of gizmos… And the day Wanda and Mum dressed up Kate and I to walk to the end of the block to give a wave to someone important passing by that morning on a slow moving train… and once again we were so young… and little did I know how powerful that memory would be throughout the years as Kate and I were able to give a curtsy and a bow and a wave to a beautiful young Queen Elizabeth so happy to say hello to us that beautiful morning as we were waiting along the railroad tracks. Or the time a little Tommy Birt had hurt his thumb and had been off to the doctor and once again recovering from one of those scary moments and Al the next morning scooping me up on his way to work with a stop at the Canoe Club for a quick breakfast. I can remember as we bellied up to the small bar that was yet to open for the day… Al seemed to know the tender and asked if he could get us something to eat and he smiled and said sure. Then Al turned to me and said I could have anything I wanted… and I remember asking Al… you really mean… ANYTHING! … and he said… Sure anything you want Tommy… so a little boy asked for a Cheese Burger and a Chocolate Milkshake for breakfast which until this day I remember how cool it was to have a good friend like Al always looking out for me… So many fond memories of the visits of the Rutherfords to our home in Hopkins Minnesota… Often they would stay at the Ambassador Hotel in the winter with a heated and covered swimming pool which was one of the rare times you would see Al in the water because as I recall for a man who loved the water and mastered it so well he really was not the best of swimmers. And the day Kate told me she had a secret during one of her family’s Minnesota visits and said if she told me I could not tell Mum and Dad so I took my oath seriously of the news of a new Sea Plane to be kept at the dock of the Rutherford’s new home on the Red River… Upon arriving Winnipeg that next summer I was vibrating being privy to the unfolding surprise awaiting Mum and Dad and I as Al was so happy to take us up in his new Cessna 172 on floats. Or the funny day when Mum and Wanda were sitting in the cockpit of one of the “Flamingos” on Clear Water Bay with a young baby Blair smiling and sitting on Mum’s lap keeping us all entertained especially when he decided to grab Mum’s boobs with a big laugh and squeal of joy as Wanda tried to deal with her beautiful young son’s new infatuation… I do remember Al did enjoy his Play Boy magazines… and as the years have passed… Blair… you and family have gone on to having incredible lives and experiences brining so much good to so many… The endless generosity of Al and Wanda to family and friends throughout the years is quite legendary as we all reflect on how quickly the years are going by… So as we all deal with our passing years and the mounting losses of our loved ones I would like to share a thought and a fragment or two of a recent dream I had involving Al and my Dad… Two men who truly are best of friends and truly great mentors to me… I dreamed… It was a warm sunny day as I saw a young Al Rutherford and a young Tom Birt standing on a long dock along a river with the Canoe Club coming to mind… And how ever our beliefs unfold during a lifetime I could not help but think I was witnessing the reunion of two beautiful men… best of friends… who have meant so much to me and to so many others… meeting up once again… And with a smile they both looked me straight in the eye with a twinkle in theirs with a message to press on in life in joy as we will all meet again soon enough… In closing… My Dad had a beautiful way of never saying good bye… we would always say to each other upon our many partings throughout the years… “Happy to meet… sorry to part… Happy to meet again” So Al… Thank you for all the joy… passion and generosity you brought to so many throughout the years and wishing you all… Wanda, Kate and Blair peace during this time of transition and adjustment with Al now just a little further down the road or perhaps just sailing off over the horizon to a better place… Thank you Rutherfords for all the kindness, friendship and generosity you have shared with the Birts for so many years now… Blessings… Rhoda and Tom Jr. - Posted by: Rhoda and Tom Birt Jr (Good family friends) on: Mar 18, 2019

• My uncle Al was a hard working guy who provided well for his wife Wanda and his children, Blair and Kathryn and he and Wanda both made sure their kids received higher education before setting out on their own. Al was career driven and his work ethics were admired by his peers. He enjoyed his recreational luxuries of flying his float plane and sailing on the red our at Lake of the Woods where he and Wanda had a family cottage. He loved his motorcycle brigade with the shriners and his many years as a member of the Winnipeg Canoe Club. Al enjoyed all the family gatherings over the years. I just hope that the Good Lord has enough chocolate cake and Coca Cola on hand cause he will need it with Al on the way... Going to miss you uncle, FREDDIE - Posted by: Freddie Raeside (Nephew) on: Feb 07, 2019

• I grew up sailing at Lake-of-the-Woods and Mr. Rutherford and Flamingo were a fixture on the Lake and at LOWISA. I remember him as a nice gentleman who had time to chat with a kid on the dock after a day of sailing. When I found out a few years later that he owned the BDI, stopping for ice cream on the way out to the Lake took on added significance that seems to have made the ice cream taste even better. My condolences to the Rutherford family. - Posted by: Tracy Maconachie (Acquaintance from sailing) on: Jan 29, 2019

• Our Love and prayers go out to Wanda and your family. Bill and I have shared many wonderful times together over the years through the Shrine and had the pleasure of visiting many time out at Lake of the Woods. A wonderful man will truly be missed and in our hearts forever. Dorothy (Bill) McLeod - Posted by: Dorothy McLeod (Long time friendship through the Shrine) on: Jan 14, 2019

• Dear Wanda. Before moving to Brandon about 18 years ago, I was a member of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg, and shared many enjoyable lunches with Al. His unassuming manner did not allow those around him to recognize what a warm and kindhearted individual, talented businessman, and such a generous contributor to society they were sitting next to. Al never desired to be the centre of attention, as he was at his best when working away from the limelight to make our community a better place in which to live. And his voluntary contributions to society were tangible evidence to those desires. Several of our fellow Rotarians have very fond memories our special times with Al when he took us to Clearwater Bay for some wonderful sailing days. Life seems so unfair at times, as with all the horrible, mean, and cruel people in this world who seem to get through life without paying the price for their transgressions, a man such as Al, who has given so much of himself to the world around him, should have to spend his final days dealing with horrors of Parkinson’s, just does not seem right. Even as I consider myself to be a good Christian, I sometime have to question whether there truly is a God, as life seems so unjust at times, and this should not be allowed to happen. Although I did not see Al in his times of illness, I am somewhat familiar with how a person’s life can be affected by Parkinson’s, as one of my closest friends from my CNIB days, with whom I am in regular contact; who lives in Alberta, and who has lived a life of total blindness, was so looking forward to a more leisurely and relaxing life of retirement, is now battling a life with Parkinson’s. As I said, "Life seems so unfair". Wanda, in the hope that it may bring some comfort to you and your family, all I can say is that the time comes when we all leave this earth, but at different stages of life, and rather than looking at “losing” Al at this time, we (especially you and the family) have to recognize how fortunate we have all been to have had such a special person as Al Rutherford as part of our lives for as long as we did. And we know he is finally at peace after having to spend his final days as he did. Wanda, I send my love to you and your family, and hope that you can all find comfort in recognizing that you have been truly blessed to have been chosen to share the life of such a special man. Sincerely, Dean Cousens Brandon - Posted by: Dean Cousens (Friend/Former Rotarian) on: Jan 12, 2019

• Wanda, Blair and family, we were so sorry to hear about Al's passing. Working at the BDI and with your family are among our fondest memories - our early lives and friendships were formed there. Deepest condolences from our family. - Posted by: The Hopes (Past employees at the BDI) on: Jan 08, 2019

• Our love and condolences to Aunt Wanda, Kate (Paul), Blair (Laura), Jessica (Justin), Chad (Renee), Laura and Ry, at this very sad time. We are so grateful for the memories we shared with Al. We enjoyed every time we were able to spend with Al in Vancouver, Winnipeg and Kelowna. The Many family functions we attended have made special memories through the years and we will miss his many long distance calls received any time of the 24 hours clock!! Al was always mindful of his immediate family and his family at large. With love from Dave and Betty Rutherford and family - Posted by: Dave & Betty Rutherford (Nephew) on: Jan 08, 2019

• Al was so proud of being from Winnipeg, He would praise it in whichever City he visited. He should have been the Mayor, we miss his impish humour, kindness and big love of his family. R.I.P. - Posted by: Ken and Rita McConkey (Friends ) on: Jan 06, 2019

• Al and I were members of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg. I knew him for 28 years and found him to be a congenial and interesting fellow. On occasion, I was involved in fireside meetings of Rotarians at his home. During the time I was CEO of Versatech Industries Inc., a charitable organization, he helped me with the import of equipment from Italy. I admired his entrepreneurship. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to Wanda, his family and his many friends. - Posted by: Terry E. Cheater (Members of the Rotary Club of winnipeg) on: Jan 06, 2019

• Al was a generous friend. - Posted by: Joe W. Asbeek Brusse (Friend,Sailor, pilot and one time partner in the Bridge Drive In.) on: Jan 05, 2019

• Al and Wanda showed us their true friendship from the time we arrived in Canada. They invited us to spend a weekend at their trailer in Lake of the Woods and we flew there in Al's Cessna. It was such a memorable trip, seeing all the Lakes on the trip down. Al was very supportive of the new business venture S.D.R. allowing the company to share space with A.D. Rutherford in the early years. We will miss you Al. - Posted by: Dave and Barbara Smith (Colleague and long time friend) on: Jan 05, 2019

• We are very sad for the loss of Al. We have many great memories of Al when sailing at Clearwater Bay and when he sailed Flamingo on LOWISA. We also enjoyed our trips to BDI all the time. My father flew the same aircraft as Al. - Posted by: Rod Nuttall (Friend from Sailing) on: Jan 05, 2019

• Dear Wanda, Kathryn, Blair and family, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I have very fond memories of Mr. Rutherford while growing up as his neighbour on Salme Drive. Whether it was taking us on a flight in his pontoon plane or a bucket of delicious BDI ice cream, he always was so kind (and fun!) I spent many hours sitting on his dock on the Red River. With my deepest condolences. May he rest in peace. - Posted by: Kathryn Kuzyk (Previous Neighbour) on: Jan 05, 2019