Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Rod has been a resident of Kenora since early childhood. He attended Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, where he achieved a B.A. in Economics in 1968. After continuing his studies at the University of British Columbia, where he earned his LL.B. in 1971, Rod returned to Kenora to begin his practice.

Rod has been actively involved with Confederation College and several local service clubs. Rod also enjoys hitting the links each summer and fishing. Past positions include Vice Chair of the Board of Confederation College, Chair of the Kenora Police Services Board, President of the Kenora Lions Club and President of the Kenora Golf & Country Club.

In May 2005, Rod was made a ‘Fellow of the Unversity’ by his alma mater, Lakehead University. This honour was conferred upon him “in recognition of his long and distinguished services to Northwestern Ontario”. Rod is presently on the Chancellor's Task Force which was recently successful in securing a Faculty of Law for Lakehead University commencing in the fall of 2013.

Rod is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada and the Canadian Bar Association.