Roderick “Rod” W. Wilson passed away Feb. 7, 2021, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital. Roddy, my brother, was born in Fairmont, on July 23, 1933, to the late George W. Wilson and Julia Cummings Wilson.
Roddy was Methodist by faith.
He graduated from East Fairmont High School in 1951. He then went on to West Virginia University to receive his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics.
While teaching in the Physics Department of WVU, he was appointed by Joe Hutchison to assist in forming the National Science Camp, which he happily did. This was a major part of his life working with the youth and contributing to their knowledge of science.
Roddy spent three years with the National Security Agency and was in the Army Reserves before returning to the WVU Physics Department.
Later he moved to Montgomery, and, as a physics professor, taught physics at West Virginia Tech. He retired after approximately 40 years and moved back to Westover to be near family.
He was very concerned about education for his great-great-nephew, Cameron James Hill, and great-great-niece, Chloe Grace Lee. He encouraged them to learn as much as they could.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Lodd and Emma Emery Wilson, of Daybrook, and James and Clara Cummings, of Elmira; and nephew, Randall Lawrence Carr, of Westover.
He is survived by his sister, Barbara Wilson Carr, of Westover; nieces and nephews, Leisa Lee, Robert Lee, Cathy Carr and Mariano Tubolino; great- nephews, Adam Wesley Lee and Ryan Jeffrey Jessen; great-great-niece, Chloe Grace Lee; great-great-nephews, Cameron James Hill, Easton Michael Lee, Axel Wesley Lee and Chase Milo Jessen; numerous cousins; a former nephew-in-law, Jeffrey M. Jessen; and a dear friend, Polly Hess, of Shrewsbury, Mass.
His wishes were to be cremated. There will be a private service for family at a later date. McCulla Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences:
www.mcculla.com
