Dr. Alastair Rankin

With deep sadness, we announce the death, on Monday, December 30th, of Alastair Semple Rankin, beloved husband of Freda Rankin, and father of Moira Rankin and Aileen Rankin (Justin Harder). It was a short, but seemingly long battle with cancer for Alastair and the family. Alastair is also survived by his sister, Sheila Weait (David), and nieces, Shona Synnott (and children), Katrina Davison Dominguez (Mario and children), and Ailsa Hall (Andrew and children). He was also cherished by the many relatives on his wife’s side of the family. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland to Alexander and Euphemia Rankin and raised in London, England. During the war, he was evacuated to Oxford with many other London children to escape the bombings. All of England had a role to play in the war efforts, and schools formed farming camps for the older children to work the harvests. It was hard work, but Alastair enjoyed it. Alastair completed a year of study at the London School of Economics before being called to serve in the National Service Army Reserve in 1947 – 1949. He then returned to his studies and completed his Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1950. Alastair became a chartered accountant and, although the career did not suit him, he had good “money sense.” He always saved and became a knowledgeable and capable investor. After having immigrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1957, Alastair decided that medicine was the path he should follow and took steps towards becoming a medical doctor. His medical schooling was delayed a year when he returned to England to care for his ailing parents in their final days. He graduated from the University of Alberta Medical School in 1967. Alastair worked at the Justik Medical Clinic after graduating. He was also in the Canadian Forces Medical Services Army Reserve for some years. After only a year of semi-retirement at the usual age of 65, he went on to work at the Workers’ Compensation Board, Lifemark Health, and lastly at Dr. Bernstein Diet and Health Clinics. He worked until he was 86 years old. Alastair was a man of many talents and interests. He enjoyed travelling and learned languages easily; at one time he spoke eight languages. He was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to music. He played the piano and was in his seventies when he resumed piano lessons. Alastair was a member of the Alpine Club of Canada. He loved to hike, camp, climb, and ski in the mountains. He also kept fit bicycling, swimming, jogging, walking, curling, and frequently exercising at the Kinsmen Sports Centre. At Alastair’s request, there will be no service. The family has created a memorial website, www.alastairrankin.com, where you are invited to share memories and leave condolences. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations to Alastair’s favourite charities, the Nepal School Project (Scarborough, ON) or First Presbyterian Church (Edmonton, AB), or to the charity of your choice.

Dr. Alastair Rankin

September 11, 1927 - December 30, 2013