RODGER BELL HUNTER

January 17, 2026

Rodger Bell Hunter died peacefully Jan. 17, 2026, at Huron Shores Hospice in the Tiverton Park Manor, at the age of 89. Survived by his wife, Virginia (nee Ritchie); his sister, Mary Campbell of Kincardine; brother, John (Jake) Hunter (Betty); and sister-in-law, Judie Hunter, all of Kincardine. Predeceased by his brothers, Jamieson and Charles; and his sister, Janice Morris. The oldest child of Allan and Catherine Hunter, Rodger grew up in Saugeen Township. He left school early to work at IBM in Toronto, but he fulfilled his early academic promise by completing his secondary school honours diploma at night school before moving to Vancouver to earn his Honours B.A. at UBC, then to McGill for his M.A. (he held M.A.s both in English literature and in philosophy), and finally to the State University of New York at Buffalo for his doctoral degree in philosophy. Dr. Rodger Hunter was a committed socialist, a political activist, a scholar, and always a gentleman. He had style and grace — in everything. Throughout his life, he retained his great humour, his erudition, and his adeptness with an eloquent and wry turn of phrase. Still, for all his accomplishments, he put the interests of others first and was a gentle, kind, modest man. Rodger and Virginia travelled extensively and lived in numerous cities throughout their lives. Indeed, at one point, Rodger found himself home in Bruce County teaching secondary school in Walkerton. They settled in Toronto in the 1970s and, apart from various sabbatical leaves and extended European stays, they remained there for more than 50 years. Rodger returned to Bruce County, always a place close to his heart, in the fall of 2022 and set up at the Tiverton Park Manor, where he was treated with much kindness and respect. His family was very happy to have him home. Rodger is survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews. Uncle Rodger was particularly close to his niece, Barbara Morris; his nephew, Jamie Hunter; and his great-nephew, Hunter Morris; in whose lives his influence was inestimable, as was their love for him. Should you wish to make a donation in memory of Rodger, please consider Huron Shores Hospice in Tiverton.