We regret to advise of the death of Colonel John Rundle, CD (Ret'd) at the Belleville General Hospital on 10 August 2015 in his 84th year.
John enjoyed a full and rewarding 41 year career as a Canadian Military Engineer that started in 1949 when John enrolled in Canadian Army starting at Royal Roads Military College and continuing on to the Royal Military College, Kingston under the Regular Officer Training Plan. During this time, in 1951 he transferred to the Royal Canadian Air Force. After obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Queen's University in 1954, John proceeded to Air Defence Command Headquarters, St Hubert, QC with the Construction Engineering Branch and was transferred later that year to RCAF Station, St Margarets, NB as the Construction Engineering Officer.
John returned to the Royal Military College in 1956 as Lecturer and, later, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering - during which time he also completed his studies towards a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering at Queen's University (1958). After RMC he was posted to the Directorate of Engineering Construction in Air Force Headquarters as Head, Site Development and Planning Branch.
Returning, again, to the academic field in 1963, John was first a student at the RCAF Staff College in Toronto followed by a tour as a member of the Directing Staff. From here John was appointed Base Construction Engineering Officer at RCAF Station Greenwood, NS in 1966.
Following his tour as BCEO, John went to the Defence Education Centre Planning Group in Ottawa as Staff Officer for a short tour before becoming Section Head in the Directorate of Construction Engineering Requirements in 1970 with the additional appointment of Project Manager, CFB Valcartier Development. John’s next tour was overseas in 1972 to Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium as Staff Officer Air and Naval Installations in Infrastructure Branch for three years. Returning to Canada, he was appointed Base Technical Services Officer of CFB Borden, ON (1957 -77) and then returned to NDHQ as Director Military Engineering Operations. This was followed by a tour as Director General Works before he moved in 1980 to Canadian Forces Training System Headquarters, CFB Trenton, ON as Deputy Chief of Staff, Technical Services.
John retired in 1986 whereupon he occupied himself with the construction of his new house located just east of Brighton, ON. In retirement John was a supporter of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and a long-time member of the United Church in Brighton. A trombonist, John enjoyed his long association with the Trenton Citizens Band and the Brighton Melodeers. He was an avid mountain climber, swimmer, cross country skier and biking enthusiast.
A Memorial Service will be held at Trinity St. Andrew's United Church in Brighton on 5 September 2015 at 2:00 p.m. with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Stephen Lewis Foundation or a charity of your choice. On-line condolences at www.rushnellfamilyservices.com
