ROUSLIN, William (Bill)
Bill took his leave of this world on Thursday, May 22nd, 2025 in a manner of his choosing, after suffering from a form of leukaemia. He always thought he'd live to be as old as his mother and sister when they died at 90, but the surprise diagnosis just four months ago meant that wasn't possible. He was 86.
He was predeceased by his father, Dr. Benjamin Rouslin DDS and his mother, Ann Brill of Providence, Rhode Island as well as his sister, brother, and two half brothers. He leaves behind nieces and nephews in the USA and his brother- and sister-in-law, Grant and Lorraine Watson of Calgary. And Virginia (Jinny), his wife of 54 years.
Bill was born in Providence. Educated in Providence's public schools, Bill's fascination with minerals started in sixth grade and he never looked back. His collection now stands at over 1,000 specimens. (It travelled with him on all his many moves, no matter the cost.) Still, he didn't want to be a geologist or a dentist like his father. Instead, he chose biochemistry, graduating from Brown University with an A.B. in biology, from the University of Connecticut with a Ph.D. in biochemistry and completing his NIH postdoctoral studies at Cornell University in Ithaca.
It was there that he met Jinny, who'd travelled down from Toronto with her roommate and a visitor from England one weekend. After ten dates, they decided to cut to the chase and forget this iffy travel between Ithaca and Toronto; and soon married in her hometown of Calgary in 1970. And so began their lives together. First in New Jersey, where Bill taught at Rutgers University and then to Cincinnati, Ohio. He was recruited by Rice University's team of heart research scientists to join them at the University of Cincinnati's College of Medicine.
Looking towards retirement, the West Coast of Canada, specifically BC, specifically North Saanich on Vancouver Island beckoned. Jinny wanted to return to her Canada and Bill was ok with this, especially considering the advantages of the climate and the chance to sail again. And the relatively sane political system north of the border. Once in Canada, they bought a 32 ft. Hunter sloop, The Dogstar, and investigated the waters east and north, sailing as far as Deception Sound for seven years. Invited by a neighbour, Bill took up curling, that fine Canadian sport. And in December 2, 2009 he became a Canadian citizen.
Along with the friends they made in both countries, they shared their lives with several Siberian Huskies, who were beautiful creatures (photographed by Cincinnati's daily newspaper and in a coffee table book no less). Though willful and a bit noisy when they howled for a variety of reasons. Huskies named Petroushka, Anastasia and Tatiana were well loved. It was mutual.
Bill had a wonderful sense of humour, a bit on the dry side and witty to the end. Before he said goodbye, had a few bon mots for his palliative care physician, Dr. Ian Mackenzie.
We salute the nurses at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital's Palliative Care Unit and especially to Dr. Mackenzie for their care in what must be a very difficult job. If you're able, please consider donating to Aplastic Anemia & Myelodysplasia Association of Canada: https://aamac.ca/
Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Bill's life will be held next spring.