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Rod Liddon

Tributes

 

April 15, 2005
Vancouver Island, Canada

”Early this morning, Columba 1400, Skye and the UK lost a great community leader and a true teacher – a kind and powerful man named Rod Liddon. I doubt that I will ever be lucky enough to meet anyone else, quite like him. 

 He is a man who believed in community, in ethos and ethics, in the importance of Gaelic and in people.  In a day and age when we so often get to know so called leaders by what they say, Rod had an exceptional ability to communicate through his presence.   He was quiet most of the time – the kind of quiet that you didn’t mind being around.  It was in that poise and calm and quiet that he earned the trust of people – almost in the very first moment you were around him.  I have seen Rod’s presence have a remarkable effect on people – over and over again - providing a number of moments that are etched in my memory.

 Each week at Columba 1400, Rod led a problem-solving “Search and Rescue” simulation with the very wide range of clients we would put in front of him.  In each simulation, with each group of people, Rod would always arrived prepared, ready and clear in the fact that the afternoon he had with people might make them more capable in their own lives. 

 He would always begin any exercise by briefing all participants. And this briefing always started with the same two words – indistinguishably linked with the voice that said them:

"Listen In.”

In those two words and the way Rod Liddon said them, I found every leadership philosophy I have ever been introduced to and believed.  With cromac in hand, his service to others in those many cold and windy afternoons was uncompromised.

On one occasion, it wasn’t a simulation.  A young boy in Staffin was really missing.  News like this soon brought the Staffin community to the doorstep of the family.  As the Police talked to relatives and the boys friends, a crowd like I have never seen in Staffin gathered – right there on the street.  There was an awkward inertia.  Aside from circulating sandwiches, coffee and just being there, there was very little action that any of us could take. 

Or so we, in our foggy muddle, believed. 
 
I heard Rod had arrived before I saw him, myself.  “The Major’s here” whispered through the group like a grass fire.  To set eyes on him, stepping his signature boots out of his jeep the way he did, pipe in hand, can only be described as something unexplainable – calm, clear and unexplainable. 

He had obviously come straight from work on the croft. He had straw on his poncho and in a ruckus of white hair that had obviously not seen a comb between pillow and early morning chores.       

The climate changed when he got there, and our capability as a community changed with it. 

It was a sensation of safety and conviction you felt every time you shook his hand.  He would hate me saying that, but it’s true.  Later that afternoon, after hours of a volunteer search effort, the little boy was found, and was at home, safe and sound.   Contrary to his nickname “The Major”, his influence was not in his position, or in any authority or expertise.  It stemmed from the fact that you knew in your heart that this was a person who would always stay true to what needed to be done. You knew that he was always going to stay true to good and that he would always stay true to people. Casting my ballot and voting for him in the 2003 Highland Council election was the most meaningful act in democracy, I have ever taken.  

The other image that stays with me, is one of first meeting Rod (by accident?), sitting beside him at church early in 2000.  I have never known anyone, before or since, who prayed quite the way Rod Liddon did.  The details are not as important as the intensity.  In whatever he was communicating, whatever he was giving up, or whatever he was receiving, it was occurring through an intimate relationship between him and his Maker.

I think this man’s life was a prayer. 

And one that we at Columba 1400, are so lucky to have lived alongside.”

Ian Chisholm,  Fellow, Columba 1400 

“Sorry to hear about Rod, what a gap for Columba.. He made an impression on people - an aura of quiet faith and dignity”

Debbie Kaney

 “I was really sorry to hear of Rod, a memorable guy who was honest and true to himself and his principles. I feel fortunate to have shared just a little of Rod's time at Columba.”

John Dewar 

“I just wanted to pass on my condolences to the Columba team and his family. Whilst I only met him during our Columba week, he made such a big impression on me as being  a down to earth, wise and gentle person with real spirit and a sense of humour.”

Carolyn Eaton

“I am so sorry for you all and his family - he was a remarkable man and will be so greatly missed,

Julia Ogilvy

Firstly to say that we were all very sorry to here about Rods death. I know the young people from Perth who met him all enjoyed his company and his unique ability to set a challenge with care and compassion for those he was challenging. I’m sure he will be greatly missed by many in the area.

From Ian Marr Perth YMCA 

We at Calman are very sorry to hear the sad news of Rod’s passing. Myself, Archie and the young people who attended Columba in October last year feel that we were indeed privileged to have met Rod and thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with us. He was a lovely man who took the time to share his knowledge and experiences with others and will be greatly missed.

We would like to pass our condolences on to Rod’s family and yourselves at this sad time.Thinking of you all

Julie

I was very sorry to hear this sad news.  I enjoyed and valued the patience and gentle manner Rod showed to myself and the young people during the search and rescue exercise.

Lorraine Gillies  

It was a privelege and pleasure to meet and work with Rod. When I did the Gemini with E&Y the ethics walk was one of the elements that really stuck in my mind. When I came back to volunteer with the Dumfries and Galloway group Rod and I got the chance to work a bit more closely and I was struck by his calm authority which the lads especially responded to so positively.

Jackie Cameron
Cameron Consulting