Rod Cameron: an appreciation

[Chris Norman]

So very sorry to learn of the passing of my friend and mentor Rod Cameron on 22 December, 2023. Rod was an active and highly valued member of this forum, FEGA, and the hand engraving community for many years. The impact that Rod had upon me professionally and personally was profound. I was immensely blessed to spend time with such a brilliant, generous, thoughtful, and fun human being. His talents and interests were boundless as he instinctively grasped the interconnectedness of all things: apprenticing as a toolmaker at Rolls Royce to a PhD in engineering from Cambridge, Arctic explorations in Greenland, a passionate amateur astronomer, gifted singer, guitarist, poet, writer and historian, a master engraver, and of course, best known as a premier maker of exquisite historical flutes. His life and work will continue to inspire me, and I’ll always cherish the many wonderful memories of our time together. I’m sending love to his family, sharing their sense of loss and appreciation for Rod’s remarkable life. - Chris Norman

 

[Leonardo]

Really sad news.
Rest in peace Rod, my friend.

 

[mtlctr]

Godspeed Rod, rest in piece

 

[Marcus Hunt]

How sad. He was a lovely chap and very talented. He will be sadly missed. RIP Rod.

 

[Dave London]

RIP my friend

 

[John B.]

Everything that Marcus Hunt said;
Rod was a kind, giving, extremely talented gentleman, and friend to so many.
Heaven's Angels will adore him.

 

[Andrew Biggs]

That is very sad news indeed.

I have very fond memories of Rod. He came to New Zealand many years ago with his friend and they visited with us for an afternoon.

A couple of years later Kathleen and Rod hosted us in Mendocino and we stayed in his workshop. Then I had the pleasure of being a fellow student with Rod at a Grand Masters with Martin Strolz. And we always managed to hook up at the FEGA show. He was intelligent, fun and a great story teller.

Rod was an incredibly talented and world famous flute maker who led an interesting and adventurous life.

The world seems a smaller place without him but I have no doubt he is on the other side telling his stories and entertaining the angels.

He had a great life and filled every corner of it.

Go well Rod and one day perhaps we will meet on the other side of the river.

Our sincerest condolences to Kathleen and his daughter.

Cheers
Andrew

 

[JJ Roberts]

Condolences to Rod's family. J.J.

 

[sam]

I'm sorry I somehow missed this post. Rod was a very dear friend and student, fellow musician, and one of the finest men I have ever know. RIP Rod. You enriched the lives of everyone who knew you. Memory eternal.

 

[SamW]

Rod was a great friend to all of us! Visiting with Rod was always such a delight...I will miss just knowing he was around. RIP dear friend!

 

[graniteguy52]

It is sad to hear of Rod's passing, but I must say remembering him brings a smile to my face.
It was always a joy to visit with him at FEGA.
Rest in Peace!

 

[Mike Dubber]

What a fine gentleman he was...always smiling, he loved engraving and engravers. He brought joy and excitement to our art and to our guild.

 

[Tim Wells]

I used to read, then re-read everything he wrote here, and in emails to me and in every case, it was like reading poetry. All the while hearing his voice saying what I was reading which always put a smile in my heart and on my face. He was a dear friend that I didn't call nearly often enough. I've got a lot of his singing traditional music on my phone that I can treasure...

 

[Martin Strolz]

From what I had read on the forum, I always was thinking that this exceptional man would be a very interesting person to meet. Then I had the big pleasure, Rod was in my group of students for the Grand Masters 2009. We always had a splendid time together, and we enjoyed each others company a lot!
I had great respect and admiration for him, Rod was a treasure of a human beeing, a true gentleman, very well educated, full of stories and wisdom and an excellent musician and craftsman too. He had some respect for my outdoor activities, having led an adventurous life himself. Later he even visited me at home in Steyr. It is very sad to hear of his passing, I will remember him fondly. My sincere condolences go to Kathleen and his family.
Martin

 

[Roger Bleile]

I can only echo the sentiments of all those who have remarked on the outstanding character and accomplishments of my dear friend, Rod Cameron. If ever there was a person who was a friend to all and a mentor to many, it was Rod. A true raconteur, Rod told stories in both word and song. I just happen to know the words to a number of Scottish folk songs so, it was my great pleasure to singalong with Rod in the jam sessions that always seemed to happen when Rod was with a group of engravers. Those sessions, with many engravers who are also talented musicians, are golden memories to me.

Rest in honored peace and love, Rod Cameron.