Christina Millington
Omineca Express
If ever you find yourself exploring the trails around Vanderhoof take the time to appreciate the hand cut paths that you find yourself on for they were made for you.
Peter Rodseth, a resident of the community of Vanderhoof for the past 38 years has dedicated much of his time giving to the beautification of the community that so many of you call home.
Rodseth stems from a “fortunate” upbringing under the watchful eye of his mother whom raised Rodseth and his younger sister on her own in the comforts of Prince Rupert.
“My father passed away when I was four years old,” said Rodseth. “I had such a great upbringing with my Mother”
As a graduate in 1965, Rodseth set out in search of a career that would fulfill his appeal for the outdoors.
He studied 2 years at BCIT (British Columbia Institute of Technology) in the forestry program that had Rodseth working in Northern Vancouver to then gravitate to Plateau Mills, just west of Vanderhoof as a technician.
Rodseth has many accomplishments to call his own, as he has been an adventurous soul that has had him travelling across Canada for most of his young adult life.
However, Vanderhoof caught Rodseth’s attention during his travels for it was vast with “flat land” that encouraged the trailblazer to be creative outside of his professional field.
Rodseth has a creative ability to carve a vision from various types of wood that can often be seen mounted throughout Vanderhoof.
“Staying busy gets me out of my head and doing things not only for the community but for myself,” said Rodseth. “Walking along the street picking up garbage is something I do for my own personal benefit. I want to be able to enjoy the town and its beauty.”
Rodseth refers to himself as a well-rounded Canadian as he enjoys heading out on the river on his canoe or to hike the “mystic” mountains that populate northern B.C.
“ I am so very Canadian with my canoe and my boy scouts,” said Rodseth. “It has been a dream of mine to climb Far Mountain.”
Rodseth can often be seen around Vanderhoof with his dog, Foobie as they often venture about interacting with locals or taking on one of the many adventures that Rodseth lays out for himself day after day.
“An honourary Canadian.”