Dr. Alastair Semple Rankin was born in Glasgow, Scotland and raised in London, England. Like many other London children, he was evacuated to Oxford during World War II to escape the bombings. He completed a year at the London School of Economics before being called to serve in the National Service Army Reserve (1947-1949). In 1950, on returning to his studies, he completed his Bachelor of Science in Economics. 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 immigrating to Edmonton, in 1957, Alastair decided that medicine was the path he should follow and he took the 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 he 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 was no Memorial Service. The family invites others to share their memories of Alastair on a memorial website they have created. www.alastairrankin.com. They would be grateful for donations to Alastair's favourite charities, the Nepal School Project (Scarborough, ON) or First Presbyterian Church.
The website prepared by the family has many pictures of Alastair cycling, skiing, climbing, rowing, and on adventures with and without his family. See them at www.alastairrankin.com.
After immigrating to Edmonton, in 1957, Alastair decided that medicine was the path he should follow and he took the 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 he 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 was no Memorial Service. The family invites others to share their memories of Alastair on a memorial website they have created. www.alastairrankin.com. They would be grateful for donations to Alastair's favourite charities, the Nepal School Project (Scarborough, ON) or First Presbyterian Church.
The website prepared by the family has many pictures of Alastair cycling, skiing, climbing, rowing, and on adventures with and without his family. See them at www.alastairrankin.com.
